Chairman, Domestic Airport Cargo Agent Association DACAA Mr. Emmanuel Odia has urged the management of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to create a directorate that would oversee cargo business to enhance the business across
airports in the country.
Speaking on the activities of the association, Mr Odia said the determination of FAAN to construct cargo terminal will not only boost the activities of the cargo agents, but will ensure sanity in the cargo business at the airports.
“I think it is one of the best things that can happen to the aviation industry. It means that there is no cargo terminal in Nigeria that will not have a cargo department and it will enhance our business as cargo agents. The moment the directorate picks up and there is a section for cargo spinning, it will boost our business”
The DACAA boss explained that for a more organised association free of disorder and tout, appealed to the management of the FAAN to create a cargo section under the directorate where all cargo activities will be carried out adding that it will help the association.
Mr Odia expressed displeasure over the going down of domestic airlines which he regretted has negatively affected their business and has forced most cargo owners to transport their goods by road.” A lot of our customers are going by road because there have not been aircraft and it has really affected our business and it has not been easy but we have no option”
He however expressed delight with the commencement of flight operations by Med View airlines adding, that cargo business will boom again when two or more airlines start operations again.
According to Mr Odia, the association few months ago on daily average never lifted cargo less than between 20 and 30 tones adding that with IRS and Aero Contractors flying, cargo lifting has drastically dropped saying, that there was no way they can meet their target.
On the issue of security threat posed by the uncoordinated activities of some touts, he said it was the reason why they asked for a means of recognition in order to curb the activities of miscreants among them in the guise of cargo agents.