Chinedu Eze
The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc has demonstrated its commitment towards increasing the volume of goods exported by Nigeria by the unveiling a N1 billion export processing and packaging centre at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The facility will enhance the preservation of farm produce, modernize packaging of perishables in accordance to international standards and also facilitate urgent freighting of the goods to the global market.
The center was opened at the weekend by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo who was represented by the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku.
Keyamo said the facility aims to address concerns related to shelf life, temperature control, packaging, handling, and regulatory compliance.
“In a world where revenue growth is key, I want to assure NAHCO that we will continue to support them in this and other ventures. It is my hope that exporters and other stakeholders will take full advantage of this facility to boost Nigeria’s export numbers, which will impact positively on our balance of payment position and strengthen the naira, “he said.
In his speech, the Chairman of NAHCO, Seinde Fadeni, expressed appreciation for the government’s support in alleviating business challenges.
“We have achieved this and the new task is to set a new goal. Our only request to the government on this occasion would be that; should we need your support in our quest to move aviation forward in Nigeria in our little way, please be there for us, ”he said.
The Managing Director and CEO of ABX World, Captain John Okakpu, said the farm produce market for export from Nigeria is potentially worth $250 billion annualy and called for the full exploitation of the market to increase foreign exchange from the agribusiness subsector.
He said if fully exploited foreign exchange from agricultural produce would excel what Nigeria is earning today from oil and gas, so Nigeria needs to get its citizens involved in export but for this to happen there should be drastic reduction in what government agencies charge exporters and the process should be made short; so that the produce would not rot before they are taken out of the country.
He also emphasized reduction of government agencies that inspect farm produce because many of these agencies encourage extortion and delays in moving cargo to the foot of aircraft for export.
