Kuku seeks speedy aviacargo implementation schedule

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kiku has tasked the Aviacargo cargo roadmap committee to immediately submit its implementation schedule, noting that it was of great importance to the government.

The coordinator of the Committee Mr. Ikechi Uko had briefed her on the work done so far. He pointed out that Wednesday was the first meeting of the enlarged committee in over 10 months.

He thanked the MD for meeting with the team and renewing the commitment of FAAN to the successful completion of the project.

The roadmap committee was set up in December 2022 to provide a roadmap to grow air cargo in Nigeria from the 5th position in Africa to number one on the continent.

There have been three changes of the Chief Executives at FAAN within 12 months with Mrs Kuku taking over in December 2023.

Uko stated that these changes disrupted the project as all meetings ceased until the team at FAAN settled in. Within this period FAAN implemented some of the suggestions made by the Committee by creating a New Directorate of Cargo Development and Services.

These changes at FAAN according to him led to recent meetings between the committee and the directorate to streamline the activities between the two of them.

The coordination of the directorate and the committee led to the enlarged meeting with Kuku and her team. Among the outcomes of the meeting was the launch of a pilot project of exports through four selected airports.

There will be a trial run of perishables export from harvesting at the farm through the Lagos Airport in a timeline of less than 24 hours.

will be another trial Run of Cereals through the Kano Airport. There will also be a trial run of Exports through the Enugu Airport. The last Trial run will be from Jos Airport.

These trial runs are to test the effectiveness of the Air Cargo Pathway developed by the Roadmap Committee. The trial runs will involve the stakeholders of the Air Cargo Ecosystem.

Other agencies of government including NEPC, NAFDAC, SON, NAQS, NDLEA and Nigerian Customs will all be involved in the pilot projects. A sub-committee headed by NAQS representative was set up to strategize and fast-track the implementation of the trial runs. The subcommittee was given 2 weeks to submit the report.

The MD commended the members of the Roadmap Committee for their passion and perseverance to stay the course thus far and encouraged them to fasten the speed of the project now that FAAN has reinforced its support for the project.

She received the team along with FAAN Directors of Special Duties, Director of Legal Services and the Director of Cargo Development and Services. The Roadmap team included members of the lead team and representatives of NAQS, SON, NAGAFF, Link Global, NAHCO and ANLCA.

Wole Shadare