NIGERIA – The Nigeria Aviation Handling Company has concluded plans to build an export processing area at the Murtla Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
NAHCO Group Managing Director, Mrs Tokunbo Fagbemi, revealed this, adding that the firm had already secured approval from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria for the project.
“We are planning to establish an export processing area at the Lagos airport, and we got an approval only two months ago from FAAN,” she said.
Fagbemi, also revealed that the finance for facility – which is expected to boost Nigeria’s agricultural exports – will be included in the company’s 2020 budget.
She stated that the facility was part of the company’s investment expansion plan, adding that NAHCO had son far spent at least N2billion (about US$5.52 million) in the acquisition of ground-handling equipment in the first phase of its investment plans.
Fagbemi also revealed that NAHCO had passed all the necessary audits and was currently partnering with different state governments and other stakeholders to come up with strategies on how best to boost agricultural exports.
The GMD further noted that agriculture had potential that had not been explored, adding that there was a need for better processing, packaging and preservation of farm produce to make them more acceptable at the international market.
Fagbemi revealed that NAHCO acquired several high-tech ground support equipment in the first phase of its developmental program and had plans to acquire more ground handling equipment in the second phase of the exercise
She stated that some of the equipment that had been bought would begin to arrive in Nigeria in a few weeks.
The GMD stated that when she came on board, the aviation handling company embarked on a five-year transformational plan to boost growth in the aviation industry.
The plan, she said, included investing in modern ground-handling equipment and facilities in line with international best practices.
