Air frieght business will transform Nigeria's economy - FAAN Director.

Sky Watch Nigeria.

The Ministry of Aviation, has concluded plans to make Nigeria a leading exporter of agricultural produce, through the nation’s airports, in line with the Federal Government’s transformation agenda for the aviation sector of the economy.

The Director of the Cargo Development, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN), Mr. Rowland Ofulue, stated this today when he had an interactive session with the representatives of international cargo airlines and members of the Association of Foreign  Airlines in Nigeria. The airlines include Qatar Airline, Saudi Arabian Airline, Emirates, Kenya Airways, Cargolux Airline, Landover, Air France, KLM and Alitalia, Base Aviation, Delta Airline, DHL and Fedex.

He explained that the recent creation of a new directorate of cargo development in FAAN was among several strategies adopted by the Federal Government to steer the nation from being an oil and gas dependent economy to a multi-pronged economy that will create more jobs for Nigerians. 

He said that the new directorate was poised to create an enabling environment that will boost cargo development at major Nigerian airports, where more emphasis had been laid on passenger movements and other related businesses.

Ofulue informed the group that the Federal Government had concluded plans to build new cargo terminals in twelve airports across the country and invited them to take advantage of this huge investment to contribute to the growth of the country’s economy, through increased air cargo operations.

He also said that an agro-allied economy could evolve from the development of the cargo terminals being planned nationwide, adding that a lot of perishable food items that were produced in the country could be exported through the nation's airports as it was the practice  in neighboring countries that rely solely on such export for the sustenance of their economies.

Mr Ofulue later called for the support of the association in checking unwholesome practices in cargo business which are against international standards and practices. Members of the association promised to work closely with FAAN to achieve the transformation of the nation’s economy through enhanced cargo operations.