August 01, (THEWILL) – The Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has stressed the need for the quick implementation of the Aviacargo Roadmap Project.
The MD stated this during a meeting with the enlarged membership of the Aviacargo Roadmap Committee.
“Give me a quicker schedule of implementation. Air Cargo is of great importance to this government. We want things done a little faster,” she stated.
Kuku, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of FAAN, commended the members of the Roadmap Committee for their passion and perseverance and encouraged them to fasten the speed of the project now that FAAN has reinforced its support for the project.
She received the team along with FAAN Director of Special Duties, Director of Legal Services and, Director of Cargo Development and Services. The Roadmap team included members of the lead team and representatives of NAQS, SON, NAGAFF, Link Global, NAHCO and ANLCA.
The Coordinator of the Committee, Mr. Ikechi Uko, who briefed the MD on the work done so far, pointed out that this was the first meeting of the enlarged committee in over 10 months.
He thanked the MD for meeting with the team and renewing the commitment of FAAN to the successful completion of the project.
The Roadmap Committee was set up in December 2022 to provide a roadmap to grow Air Cargo in Nigeria from the 5th position in Africa to number one on the continent.
Within a year, FAAN had three different chief executives, with Mrs. Kuku taking over in December 2023. These changes disrupted the project as all meetings ceased until the team at FAAN settled in. Within this period, FAAN implemented some parts of the suggestions made by the Committee by creating a New Directorate of Cargo Development and Services.
These changes at FAAN led to recent meetings between the committee and the directorate to streamline the activities between the duo. The coordination of the directorate and the committee led to the enlarged meeting with the MD of FAAN and her team.
Among the outcomes of the meeting was the launch of a pilot project of exports through four selected airports, including Lagos, Kano, Enugu, and Jos.
These trial runs are to test the effectiveness of the Air Cargo Pathway developed by the Roadmap Committee. The trial runs will involve the stakeholders of the Air Cargo Ecosystem.
Other agencies of government, including NEPC, NAFDAC, SON, NAQS, NDLEA and Nigerian Customs will be involved in the pilot projects. A sub-committee headed by an NAQS representative was set up to strategise and fast-track the implementation of the trial runs. The subcommittee was given two weeks to submit its report.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
