The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has laid the foundation for the construction of a 2.7 hectares Aviation Cargo (Avia-Cargo) village, saying that this was aimed at making Nigeria the number one exporter of aviation cargo in Africa.
The ground-breaking ceremony was conducted by the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Kabir Yusuf, with the assistance of some directors of the Authority and the Avia-Cargo committee chaired by Ambassador Ikechi Uko.
The Avia-cargo village situated along the access road to the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos was formerly used by mechanics who have been relocated to another portion of land by FAAN.
Kabir in his speech said the ground-breaking ceremony marked the beginning of a new phase in Avia-Cargo facilitation in the nation’s airports.
He said: “You may wish to recall that the decision to set up an Avia-Cargo Committee was taken by FAAN management to address the challenges that hinder our capacity to process enough cargo in our airports.
“These challenges were identified and articulated via the communique issued at the end of the first Aviation and Cargo Conference in 2021, codenamed ‘CHINET’ 2 1. Establishing an Avia-Cargo Village was identified as one of the quick wins in addressing the rejection of our avia-cargo exports, and thus, increasing our exports and earnings.
“By this ground-breaking ceremony taking place today, ladies and gentlemen, you can agree with me that FAAN management is truly determined to implement your recommendations with a view to taking the rightful number one position in Avia-Cargo exports in Africa within the next few years.”
The Managing Director said the Aviation Cargo Village, will be a one-stop-centre aimed at addressing most challenges militating against massive avia-cargo exports in our country.
According to him, the Village would have facilities for processing, packaging, certification laboratory services, data gathering for traceability of products and produces to mention but a few.
He assured that in the next couple of years Cargo planes will be departing from our airports fully loaded with goods that meet destination standards and acceptance.
The FAAN boss thanked the members of the Avia-Cargo Committee under the leadership of Ambassador Ikechi Uko, saying “we are proud of you all. Keep it up!
“I hereby officially designate this land measuring 27.357. 137 square metres (2.7 hectares) as FAAN Avia-Cargo village, and consequently invite all directors here to join me in the ground-breaking of the site.”
While not disclosing the estimated budget of the project and FAAN’s partners in the project Kabir guaranteed that everything needed for the project would be made available by the Authority.
He also maintained that Nigeria ought to be atop other countries in Avia-Cargo and not the fifth position it occupies, so FAAN is all out to change the narrative.
“I can guarantee you that FAAN will make sure that everything is put in place so that everybody operating here from the construction, completion and operation will be very peaceful.
“Interestingly you have heard some of the things I mentioned that this idea came after the Avia-Cargo conference and Nigeria being regarded as the fifth not because it deserves to be the fifth just because there are not many players in the industry doing that.
“Ordinarily we should be number one being a major player in Africa. So those ideas and many other things put together brought this to bear and as we know the cargo business is a very lucrative business that brings a lot of investment and also value to the country. So, that and many other things put together brought about what we’re doing today,” Kabir explained.
Also speaking at the event, Uko thanked everyone, especially the Managing director of FAAN for the foundation laying ceremony which he described as a massive leap for Nigeria becoming the leading country in aviation cargo export in Africa.
He said: “You know sometimes you have a vision of what needs to be done to help your country and most times unfortunately it does not come to pass, so we have seen a project start from the vision and it has gotten to a practical part of it.
“So I want to use this opportunity to thank FAAN; its management and the staff for what they have done. This is a small step for those of us here but it is a massive leap not just for FAAN but for Nigeria.
“We are number five in Africa when we ought to be number one and this today starts the journey to number one in Aviation Cargo hub in Africa.
“I thank the FAAN’s managing director for bringing it to fruition and members of the committee for supporting this project.”