Lawmakers Probe Alleged Extortion on Air Cargo Freighting, Agro-Export Businesses

By Udora Orizu

The House of Representatives, at the plenary on Wednesday, mandated the Committees on Customs and Excise, Finance, Aviation, and Agricultural Production and Services to investigate the alleged extortions and sundary charges on air cargo freighting and agro-export businesses in Nigeria.

The directive of the lawmakers, followed the adoption of the prayer of a motion sponsored by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Toby Okechukwu.

Moving the motion, Okechukwu noted the Federal Government’s interest in economic diversification and promotion of non-oil exports.

He also noted that Nigeria is a signatory to various regional, continental and global trade arrangements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA).

He cited an investigative report which alleged that foreign cargo airlines were departing Nigeria empty due to extortion and multiple charges.

The lawmaker said the House is aware that export is supposed to be free in Nigeria under extant laws and regulations, except for the airline’s charges and payments to ground handlers.

He expressed concerns over recent reports that 11 out of 16 sundry charges lined up against air cargo are illegal and that official bottlenecks, extortion, exorbitant and multiple charges are discouraging cargo airlines from

operating in Nigeria as they prefer cargos from other African countries which offer them more favourable conditions.

Okechukwu said, “Cognizant of Nigeria’s huge agro-export potential, with 22 non-oil products worth over $150 billion in export value yearly already penciled in the new export promotion programme of the Federal Government. Concerned about Nigeria’s import-to-export airfreight ratio imbalance, which is estimated at 87:13 and also that Nigeria’s agro-allied market potential worth over $250 billion is wasting away, while local exporters are fast abandoning the multi-billion dollars’ worth agro-export business.”

Adopting the motion, the House gave members of the Committees two weeks to carryout the investigation and report back for further legislative action.