The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) has announced its plans to cause the freight of N60bn worth of cargo regularly to Enugu and other states in the South East zone of the country through the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in the coal city state where the new customs-bonded cargo warehouse was inaugurated on Thursday.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State who played host to the management team of the handling company ahead of the event affirmed his administration’s readiness to assist any organization willing to establish business in Enugu for the economic transformation and employment generation in the state.
The development, according to the aviation handling company, is such that the volume of cargo to be hauled directly from abroad to the Enugu axis would be some 20% of the total volume normally freighted to Lagos.
In an address when he received in audience, chairman, members and management of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company at the Government House, Enugu, Governor Ugwuanyi assured the team of the state government’s cooperation and assistance required for it to operate in Enugu state.
In his words, “we are ready and willing to offer you all the cooperation and assistance required to sustain the successful and effective operation in Enugu.” Governor Ugwuanyi noted that since the establishment of the company that it has been a major player in the nation’s aviation sector, handling about 70% of foreign and domestic air lines operating in the country.
He further stated that the company has now become more influential with an expanded financial and economic base following its privatization in 2005 and entry into stock exchange in 2006.
He thanked the management team for bringing services to Enugu State, adding that the company’s construction of the first multi-billion naira Custom Cargo is a stepping stone for more investment as the state will assist it to do more.
Earlier in an address, the leader of the team and the chairman of the organization, Alhaji Suleman Yahaya informed the governor that the company has brought a major development to Enugu telling the governor that it has been scheduled that he would commission the largest cargo warehouse in Eastern Nigeria the next day.
He added that two warehouses were slated for the state, one directly at the airport for import and expert and another that has been rented, adding that the one at the airport has been constructed.
In his words, “we estimate that about 60 billion naira worth of cargo which is about 20% of the entire cargo in Lagos is earmarked for the five Eastern States with a lot of them finding their ways to Enugu, Onitsha, Aba and Umuahia.
He added that when the past administration decided to upgrade the Enugu Airport to International one that his company decided to be the first to support operations in the airport, adding that they have already done a lot of test run with Ethiopian Airlines for 6 months and that a number of International airline are ready to come in.
He noted that the 60 billion naira invested in the cargo programme in the state would generate a lot of economic multipliers to Enugu State. The chairman observed that the state will have a lot of visitors, investors, agents and small manufacturers among others.
In his words, “your state will have a direct access to international trade hub with China, Dubai, UK and Europe because cargo will be globally consolidated and it will be cheaper for Eastern businessmen to directly send their cargo to Enugu rather than to send it to Lagos.”
He noted that consequent upon the cargo business that the state would benefit from significant employment of both skilled and non-skilled manpower. He said that the state would also compete with Port Harcourt, Kano and Abuja in cargo business and thereafter would compete with Lagos.
He disclosed that the easterners are the second largest employees of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company. He enjoined the governor to use the company to showcase what he does both internationally and nationally, adding that Enugu is strategically located and urged the governor to cause the federal government to complete the airport in the state to enhance the cargo business transactions.
