Page 23 - LUA July - August 2023 Magterz and Online

Murtala Muhammed
International Airport despite the over 200 million population in
(MMIA) in Lagos, Nigeria Nigeria. Sadly, over 180 million Nigerians
do not use air transport. While three new
airlines launched operation in the last one
year, the number of domestic passenger has
remained at about 10 million, while most
Nigerian airports still receive few airlines
and frequencies.

Nigeria needs SAATM & AFCFTA PROGRESS
to get serious to Although Nigeria is among 19 States
undertaking the Pilot implementation
establish an enduring Project (PIP) of the Single African Air
perishable cargo Transport Market (SAATM) and Nigeria
business. Apart from has also signed for the African Continental
Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the challenges
envisioning and in the country’s aviation industry will
carefully planning it, impact on Nigeria’s expected exemplary role
you also need to do in SAATM and AfCFTA.
According to Adefunke Adeyemi,
the work and make it Secretary General of AFCAC, the
a success. implementation of SAATM by more states
is vital to improve Africa’s economy and
GEORGE URIESI integration. And the Secretary General of
IBOM AIR
the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene,
stated recently that over the past four years
and vegetables from Nigeria’s northern Stakeholders have also called for of AfCFTA’s existence, “We can count
region to the south where there is huge government to upgrade current airports many achievements thus far, not only in
demand. The absence of storage facilities in as opposed to building new ones. terms of ratifications, but also in terms
remote agricultural regions as well as within However, according to George Uriesi, of developing and operationalising legal
or near airports also hinders air freight of Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, instruments and mechanisms towards
agriculture cargo within Nigeria. Nigeria needs to get serious to establish commercially meaningful trade under
Consequently, Capt. John Okakpu, an enduring perishable cargo business. the AfCFTA preferential regime.” The
Managing Director of ABX Worldwide, and “Apart from envisioning and carefully Executive Secretary of the Economic
other concerned stakeholders are leading planning it, you also need to do the Commission for Africa (ECA) Antonio
new advocacy to standardise Nigeria’s work and make it a success,” he said. Pedro, recently charged African states to
agricultural production and exports and The Enugu state Governor, Peter Mbah, develop “hard and soft infrastructure” to
ensure traceability of export products. He is and the FAAN MD/CEO, Kabir Yusuf support trade among African States.
working on a programme to train Nigerian Mhammed, discussed on setting up a
agricultural producers and players in the cargo terminal for Enugu International GOVERNMENT UNCERTAINTY
export value-chain. Airport, one of Nigeria’s airports that Nigeria is in an awkward position to
Christophe Pinninck, Managing receives Ethiopian Airlines. participate meaningfully in the regional
Director of Asaba International Airport, The infrastructure crisis also affects air transport and trade markets.
said: “The only way for agri-export to Nigeria’s flagship airports. The new Stakeholders want the new government
work by air in Nigeria is to have a similar terminal in Lagos has failed to attract in Nigeria to turn around the economy
facility close to the cities that produce the foreign airlines due to inadequate apron to to generate increased volume of air cargo
perishable cargo. NBO (Nairobi) airport accommodate large aircraft, as few airlines and enable more people to fly.
has good roads leading to it and the same currently use the new terminal. Some However, amidst these challenges,
is valid of JNB (Johannesburg). It is a airline representatives want the concern of the new government still faces court
total concept that is important. Not just a foreign airlines over the new terminal to be litigations as opposition political parties
warehouse or a runway.” addressed, as they also call attention to the are contesting the result of the presidential
According to Alexander Nwuba, “extortion” and other distasteful experiences election that brought the current
president of the Aircraft Owners & Pilots at the old Lagos international terminal. government into power on May 29, 2023.
Association of Nigeria, a location has Aviation observers wait with bated breath
been earmarked for the facility by the POPULATION WITHOUT over the many uncertainties needing
former Managing Director of the Federal PASSENGERS urgent government attention for the
Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), The economic crunch in Nigeria has also recovery of Nigeria’s air transport and air
Capt. Rabiu Hamisu. limited the number of local air travellers, cargo industry.

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