FAAN to Provide Incentives for Export of Farm Produce

Chinedu Eze

Foremost exporter of agricultural produce, ABX World Nigeria has received support from the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for its latest moves to export perishables to Europe.

The Director, Commercial and Business Development at FAAN, Sadiku Abdulkadir Rafindadi who hinted that the agency would support the company, described ABX World’s initiatives on agricultural lifting to Europe as quite inspiring and overwhelming.

He made the remarks when top management of ABX visited his office to seek FAAN’s support towards the programme.
Applauding the gesture, Rafindadi said that with the support of the Ministry of Aviation, FAAN would accord the company the necessary encouragement and support to continue the project capable of generating millions of employment for the teeming youths.

He also urged the company to key into the federal government’s export initiative by accessing incentives available so that they can reap the benefits as provided by the government policy on agro-allied produce through the Export Processing Zones (EPZ).

Responding, the Managing Director of ABX World Nigeria Limited, Captain John T Okakpu, said commendations from FAAN showed government’s willingness to support the initiative, which is capable of revolutionising agriculture in the country.

According to him, agriculture has been the primary export basin and foreign exchange earner for Nigeria until focus shifted to oil and gas, “but the current trends in the international oil market leaves us with one option,: going back to our root, which is agriculture.”

Asked if the market for these agriculture produce is guaranteed,, Captain Okakpu, said, “The market has already accepted our products. What we did early last year was to take it to them for test to see if it is acceptable. “Now we have gone through the process of certification of the farmers because everything about food in Europe and any part of the world is safety.

Interestingly, abx world is the only Global GAP certified company and the only member from Nigeria. The Company is also EU certified (EUC) cargo agent, and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) “Authorised Cargo Agent.
“Global Gap is the network that controls all the supermarkets in the North America and Europe and once you have their certification, the market is guaranteed,” Capt. Okakpu said.