Stakeholders Push Solutions to Conflicts, Constraints in Aviation Cargo

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s air-cargo sector have renewed calls for stronger collaboration, streamlined regulation and improved infrastructure as they examined ongoing conflicts and operational constraints slowing the country’s cargo processes.

The discussions took centre stage at the DCDS Operational Stakeholders’ Engagement organised by the Directorate of Cargo Development Services of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in Lagos, with the theme “Building a World Class Air Cargo System.”

Participants stressed that minimising inter-agency disputes, enforcing access control and expanding cargo-handling capacity were necessary to reduce crises and enhance efficiency.

The concerns followed a recent confrontation between personnel of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Customs Service near the Murtala Muhammed International Airport terminal, where sporadic gunfire raised safety and security fears.

Caverton Helicopters’ representative, Mr Kafidipe Olajide, said many activities currently taking place at the cargo terminal should not occur there, urging stricter access management and agency cooperation.

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The Chairman of the MMIA chapter of the Association of Nigeria Customs Licensed Agents, Mr Temitope Pius Akindele, said a freight-forwarding staff member had died from extreme heat in the terminal building, an incident that forced the closure of a warehouse for two days.

He blamed overcrowding on FAAN’s allocation of spaces to people who should not be within the terminal environment. SAHCO representative, Mr Donald Adekunle, noted severe space constraints, adding that cargo volumes had outgrown existing facilities.

Challenges identified by freight-forwarders included the multiplication of agencies, duplication of duties and charges, and clearance processes requiring movement across several tables providing identical services.

NAGAFF’s Chief Festus Okoro said corruption and policy inconsistencies continued to impede smooth operations. Trans Global’s Mr Oluwajimi Ajibade called for deliberate freight subsidies and the removal of avoidable charges to help build a world-class cargo system.

Concerns were also raised about the movement, preservation and awareness of export-ready agricultural produce. Mr Olajide said an estimated 60 per cent of Nigeria’s agro-products go to waste due to transportation challenges, noting that Caverton Helicopters had previously been deployed to reach locations inaccessible to fixed-wing aircraft.

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He urged stakeholders to explore opportunities in agro-allied investment and to see themselves as consolidators.

On the role of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr C. Okoro, representing the Customs Area Comptroller of MMIA, said customs personnel were facilitators of trade and emphasised the importance of integrity in declarations.

He said officers who insisted on due process were often viewed negatively by freight-forwarders, stressing that the service’s remuneration removed the need for corrupt practices.

He added that the National Single Window Initiative would help address many of the current challenges.

The Registrar and Chief Executive of the Council for the Registration of Freight Forwarders of Nigeria, Mr Kingsley Igwe, urged freight-forwarders to improve their technical capacity and called on Customs to train licensed agents.

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He highlighted packaging of export produce as a revenue-earning opportunity and said CRFFN was partnering with FAAN to expand training.

President of the Aircraft Owners Association of Nigeria, Dr Alex Nwuba, said Nigeria had the potential to become Africa’s leading cargo hub, but infrastructure shortfalls and regulatory infractions must be urgently tackled.

Director of the National Single Window Initiative, Mr Damola Yusuf, said the system was developed to simplify trade processes, cut costs and increase transparency, noting that it had been operational for one and a half years.

Director of DCSD, Mr Thomas Olalekan, said the directorate aims to transform cargo operations by streamlining regulation and deepening private-sector partnerships.

He noted that Nigeria’s cargo import currently stands at 131 million tonnes annually. Representing the FAAN Managing Director, Mrs Obiageli Orah, said FAAN remained committed to providing the infrastructure and political will required to enable the nation’s air-cargo ecosystem to thrive.