The Faa Directs Aviacargo Roadmap Committee To Expedite The Implementation Of Findings

Chinedu Eze

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has instructed the Aviacargo Roadmap Committee to expedite the implementation of its findings in order to facilitate the development of FAAN’s new cargo freighting program.

Kuku issued this directive during a meeting in Lagos over the weekend, urging the committee to provide a quicker timeline for implementation. She emphasized the significance of aircargo to the government and expressed her desire for a more efficient approach.

The Coordinator of the Committee, Mr. Ikechi Ukow, who had previously updated Kuku on the progress made so far, highlighted that this was the committee’s first meeting in over 10 months since it was expanded.

He expressed gratitude to Kuku for convening the meeting and reiterated FAAN’s commitment to successfully completing the project.

The Roadmap Committee was established in December 2022 with the aim of developing a roadmap to elevate Air Cargo in Nigeria from its current rank of the fifth position in Africa to the top position on the continent. The frequent turnover of Chief Executives at FAAN within the past 12 months, with Kuku assuming leadership in December 2023, has disrupted the project’s progress.

The committee explained that these leadership changes had resulted in a halt in meetings until FAAN’s new team settled into their roles. However, during this period, FAAN implemented some of the Committee’s suggestions by creating a new Directorate of Cargo Development and Services.

This shift at FAAN prompted recent meetings between the Committee and the Directorate to streamline their activities. The coordination between the Directorate and the Committee led to the expanded meeting with FAAN’s Managing Director and her team.

As a result of this meeting, a pilot project for exports will be launched, involving four selected airports. The first trial will focus on perishables, with a timeline of less than 24 hours from farm harvest to export through Lagos Airport. The next trial will involve cereals and will take place at Kano Airport. Additionally, there will be trials for exports through Enugu Airport and Jos Airport.