Consult stakeholders before introducing new operational policies, Alapha-K CEO counsels Customs

The Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant government agencies in the aviation and maritime industry have been advised to imbibe the culture of consulting across board before introducing new operation policies in the industry. This would ensure that mistakes such as the recently introduced and withdrawn policy of attaching invoices with incoming fast cargoes do not repeat themselves.

This was an observation made by Dr Kayode Adesina of Alpha-K Aviation and Allied Services Limited while fielding questions from PortNews reporters in his Lagos office recently. He dealt with sundry air cargo-related issues and their impacts on cargo operations and the economy as a whole.

Adesina touched on Issues such as Customs directives on inclusion of invoices with cargoes by importers, Integrated Air Cargo Stakeholder Registry (IACSR), new Domestic Cargo Processing Facility at GAT, ground handling operations, NCAA sanctioning airlines over infractions and giant strides of Alpha-K in cargo handling since its inception in 1995.

The Alpha-K CEO said the directive by Customs at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Cargo demanding inclusion of invoices with imported cargoes by importers was uncalled for as it might impede seamless movement of cargoes and invariably lead to damage of some perishable ones that pass through the airport, which are considered as parcel posts. Both government and other stakeholders such as importers would lose revenues.

Although the directive had been wisely suspended following demonstrations by customs agents and freight forwarders, Otunba Adesina Kayode averred that, while the Customs idea was geared towards raising revenues for government, unfortunately cargoes do not enjoy a luxury of times as compared to seaport cargoes; so they must not be encumbered by unfriendly policies such as this or opening of Form M or PAAR.

“It (invoice with cargoes) is not really necessary. If Customs really want to harmonize and work with us, they don’t need to bother us or bother importers with getting or bringing invoices or whatever. It will not really aid a smooth or speedy delivery or clearing of shipments at the airport.  It will really discourage import and export,” he said.

Adesina said the protest against the directive by customs agents and freight forwarders was not because they did not want to follow due process, but “It’s not about following the due process. That place has been considered as a parcel post, and whatever that is coming in from there must be delivered with speed.  So there are ways by which Customs can do assessment not necessarily through invoices. They have facilities to do assessments. Yes, the valuations can assess and give proper or appropriate values and duties, plus taxes to be paid.”

Speaking on cargo handling operations by NAHCO, SAHCO and others, he said he was satisfied by their operations including charges with no differentials but need to improve and provide more cargo handling equipment to speed cargo delivery.

“They have not been doing badly. Because in the past, while one was going left, the other one was going the other way. But now I think they are together. If SAHCO increases, they are together. Their operations are quite commendable. It is good. On equipment, I think they need to improve,” he said.

The Alpha-K CEO welcomed the new Domestic Cargo Processing Facility at GAT, commending the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for providing the facility, which, he said with emphasis, would improve export of Nigerian goods particularly farm produce.

He said what is actually affecting Nigerian economy is because export is not being encouraged, pointing out that many Nigerian farm produce, particularly yams, are shipped to Ghana, branded as product of Ghana, before being exported abroad.

“The new Domestic Cargo Processing Facility is going to help.  It is part of improvement on their part. And it’s good that they provide new equipment and facilities to facilitate exports. Because what is really happening, or what is actually affecting the Nigerian economy is because export is not encouraged. Some farm produce, particularly yam, are purchased and shipped from Nigeria to Ghana before export. Nigerians in export need be encouraged,” he submitted.

Recently, the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) launched the Integrated Air Cargo Stakeholder Registry (IACSR) to collate data, provide security, professionalism and boost cargo operations. All customs agents, freight forwarders, airlines, ground handling companies, etc are charged to enlist on the platform.

When asked if his company was already registered with the IACSR, Dr. Adesina Kayode said emphatically that hIs company had yet to and that he was not aware of the platform because he was more involved in office administration than field operations. He opined that that it was not a bad idea in as much it would improve import and export services.

Adesina says: I am not aware.  Sincerely, I’m just hearing it for the first time.  Probably, I need to ask my operation staff if they are aware. I’m sure they are aware.  You know, I’m the MD of the company. I don’t do so much of operations. I do administrative work here.  And if there is need to go to meetings to represent the company abroad, that’s the major thing I do.  I do administrative services.

“I think it is not bad. If it is what is going to improve import and export services, there is nothing bad in it,” Adesina opined.

Dr. Adesina, who had lectured and taught aviation studies before floating Alpha-K in 1995, commended the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for upholding regulations compliance and sanctions against erring airlines and other operators.

According to him, “Sincerely, if you look at how things are done in the developed world, you will know that we are still lagging behind. So if any regulation is put together to improve services, both in passenger and cargo handling areas, it is really welcomed by me. I will support it. Because it is going to definitely improve service and we can meet up with the international world standards. I will support it.”

In October 2025, Alpha-K Aviation Allied Services Limited will mark 30 years of operation in cargo services for various local and international clients. Adesina said plans are underway to mark the anniversary as many staff, present and past, shall be rewarded.

‘We will celebrate 30 years. We are celebrating 30 years in October with my sixtieth birthday.  That’s good. We were incorporated in 1995. Precisely, in September 28th. So I’m going to celebrate my 60th this year in October by the grace of God. It is going to be 60, 30. 60 years of the grace of God on earth and 30 years of uninterrupted cargo services to people, to various customers,” Adesina enthused.

He said his company, in the last 30 years, has built up a good list of clients as a result of good services it has offered over this period. He pointed out that the company has enjoyed good recommendations from one client to another.

“Well, by the grace of God, our customers have been satisfied. We are trying our best to ensure that they are satisfied. Because what we are enjoying is referral. So from one customer, we get introduced to another. Oh, it will do it well. So we enjoy referrals as such. We ensure that we improve our services from time to time for our customers. They don’t complain. In fact, we are competing with big players in the system,” boastfully Adesina said, admitting that “the 30 year journey has never been a smooth one without challenges especially somersault in government policies. But we always blend up and cope with whatever policy that government issues out.”

On the future plan, he said “we still have plans to ensure that at least in the next 10 years, we will be on top. The next 10 years, we will be flying and have more customers and satisfy our expectations.”