Air stakeholders strategise on boosting cargo delivery

Air cargo stakeholders including freight forwarders on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 met in Lagos to sensitise and brainstorm on strategies to boost speedy delivery of cargo import and export in Nigeria.

The sensitisation, spearheaded by the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), was attended by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), NAFDAC, cargo handlers – NAHCO and SAHCO, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Quarantine Service and many freight forwarding associations.

The theme of event was Ease of Cargo Clearance and Export Drive to Boosting Nigeria’s Economy.

While speaking, the Chairman of Murtala Mohammed Airport Chairman of APFFLON, Mr. Quadri Olorunfunmi, said the importance of trade facilitation cannot be overemphasized, as it directly impacts Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market to earning good foreign exchange.

Olorunfemi maintained that the Ease of Doing Business policy of the Federal Government must be prioritised as well as optimising export infrastructure such as ports and logistics systems.

According to the Chairman, “To further enhance our export drive, we must prioritize ease of cargo clearance vis a viz ease of doing business as agenda of FGN, as well as optimizing the development of our export infrastructure, include our ports and logistics systems. This will In turn ensure that our export process are attractive, efficient, reliable and competitive in line with global practice.

“As freight forwarders and logistics professionals, we play a vital role in facilitating global trade, economic growth, and development.

“Our work is often behind-the-scenes, but its impact is felt by businesses, communities, and individuals across the continent and globe as a whole.

“As APFFLON, our mission is to promote professionalism, ethics, and excellence in the logistics and freight forwarding industry. We strive to create a platform for our members to network, share best practices, and address common challenges.

“Let us work together to identify the challenges militating against our cargo clearance and export drive, in order to come up with reliable solutions to address them now,”

In his remarks, Customs Area Controller, Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, Comptroller Awe, reiterated commitment to enhance trade facilitation through the policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and assured stakeholders of mutual collaboration in ensuring fast and smooth running of business.

Awe, who represented by Deputy Comptroller Ngozika Anozie at the event, informed that his administration will continue to add value to all freight forwarders and urged the agents to be steadfast in the payment of their duties.

Bashir Tijani, Assistant Controller of Narcotics, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), enlightened freight forwarders on the importance of having a secured business environment, and also stressed the need for strict compliance with war against drug abuse, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts to addressing the usage of drugs.

He noted that these will enhance Cargo clearance and smooth operations within the terminal.

“The fight against the menace of drug abuse is a collective efforts and we must adhered strictly to all rules guiding against drug abuse. NDLEA does not only arrest offenders caught in the act, we enlighten, counsel and rehabilitate them. We have War Against Drug Abuse(WADA),” he said.

The representative of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Alao, said there will be access control into the terminal

“New cargo road map has been brought up to sanitize the terminal. There will be access control into the terminal henceforth. This will help enhance safety, security and ensure International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) compliance. In Pilgrims and Cargo terminal, a platform will be set up for proper registration of all business owners and everyone operating within the terminal. It will have biometrics of all exits and entries. This will help Clean the terminal and ensure everyone are ICAO compliance.

“The Portal will be open to APFFLON members in few weeks time to have their members registered. The essence of the registration is to avoid denial at the gate,” Alao stated.