The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says it is implementing initiatives aimed at easing cargo operations at Nigerian airports and eliminating hindrances to movement of goods.
The Director of Cargo Development and Services of FAAN, Mr. Lekan Thomas, said at a stakeholders’ engagement with customs-licensed agents in Lagos that the measures included the introduction of a truck call-up system, improved access control, designation of parking areas for cargo trucks and expansion of warehouse capacities.
He said that the authority was aiming for stronger coordination among government agencies, ground handlers operating within the airport cargo terminals.
Thomas said that the creation of the FAAN Directorate of Cargo Development and Services reflected the authority’s renewed focus on using air cargo to facilitate trade and economic growth.
According to him, the initiative is also in line with the Federal Government’s ambition of building a trillion dollar economy.
He said that air cargo had a critical role to play in expanding Nigeria’s trade and export potential.
Thomas explained that FAAN has been engaging stakeholders, including ground handlers, freight forwarders, Nigeria Customs Service and trade associations, to identify challenges affecting cargo operations.
He disclosed that FAAN was also working with ground handlers to expand cargo-handling capacity and developing facilities to accommodate increasing freight volumes.
He said that updated standard operating procedures had been issued to ground handlers as part of efforts to replace informal practices with more structured and efficient cargo operations.
Thomas said that FAAN was identifying designated holding and parking areas for trucks while introducing a call-up system to prevent vehicles from occupying access roads and obstructing cargo movement.
He added that the authority was developing an access-control system under which personnel working within cargo terminals would be properly verified and documented.
GIK/APA