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NAHCo rules out waiver on cargo storage amid rising costs
The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) has ruled out waiver for cargo agents who are asking for 100 per cent waiver on storage.
The demand of the agents is based on the premise that an agency of government, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is taking on the financial burden of the 100 per cent waiver at the seaports and issuing credit notes to port terminal operators.
The firm however said this is not the case in aviation, stressing that ground handling companies have not been informed by Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) or Federal Airports Authority (FAAN) that Government is giving any financial exchange for storage waiver in the aviation sector.
Spokesman for NAHCo, Mr. Sesan Akinrinmade said they have shared this fact with the cargo agents and asked them to direct their protest appropriately.
He disclosed that NAHCO and other ground handling companies have had to provide critical handling services in support the management of and fight against COVID-19 at extra costs and in the challenging circumstances in the last six weeks of lockdown and closure of airports and airspace (except for approved essential and emergency flights).
Akinrinmade further stated that in addition, warehousing services especially ensuring shipments in the custody of the ground handling companies are kept safe, and in good condition have also been at a huge cost.
His words, “We are a responsible corporate organisation, employing over 2,200 Nigerian and affecting over 100,000 people in Nigeria directly and indirectly. COVID 19 has affected the aviation industry the most. Today, our industry is faced with revenue loss and cash crunch”.
“Ground Handling Companies are critical aviation service providers and greatly affected. Our cost of operations has risen materially in light of the new safety measures in our operations and all the safety equipment, systems, PPE etc that we have put in place for our staff, customers and stakeholders”.
He lauded efforts of the Minister of Aviation FAAN, even as the aviation industry continues to face the effects of COVID-19.
“We are challenged and meeting our obligations to staff and paying all that is due to (FAAN), charges such as five per cent of our revenue as concession fee, rent and service recovery Charge etc. Going forward is an insurmountable task”.
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