Connect with us

Aviation

Nigerian Customs Agents’ Strike Causes Business Halt, Threatens Export Competitiveness

Published

on

 

Businesses have come to a standstill over the past week, as importers and exporters have been unable to carry out their operations due to the withdrawal of services on 25th April by the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA) MMIA chapter.

 

This action was taken in response to a 100 percent increase in ground handling charges by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and Skyway Aviation Handling Company,

 

The strike has caused a lot of frustration and discouragement to young entrepreneurs who were promised that export would be made seamless for them by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.

 

Davies Chukwuneye, the Vice-Chairman of ANCLA, reported that perishable goods are piling up in facilities, and the situation is worsening for businesses.

 

The strike has resulted in people being unable to clear their goods, and no exporters are transporting perishable items. ANCLA has made multiple appeals to both ground handling companies to reduce tariffs, but without success.

 

He said “Perishable cargoes are laying waste at the facilities. Those who were not able to take their products back abandoned them. The farmers already know the situation and know they can’t keep their goods at the warehouse. So, for now, no exporter is bringing perishable goods.

 

“At the second week of February, the ground handlers sent a circular to the executive of ANLCA, introducing an upward review of 300 percent on their handling and other charges.

 

“In view of this, the union excos entered into negotiation with the ground handlers specifically to make them realise that increment at this time is ill-timed and that it will definitely have negative effects when it was still less than three years they had the last increment.” he added.

 

According to Seyi Adewale, the CEO of Mainstream Cargo Limited, the ANCLA strike is likely to have a major, negative long-term effect on aviation cargo and trade services in Nigeria.

 

Adewale recommended that airlines might opt to combine their aircraft parts in another African country and transform it into a ‘repair and return’ center, which could impact the growth of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) in Nigeria.

 

Adewale added that Nigeria’s export of agro-products and perishables was becoming less competitive compared to Morocco. This could potentially lead to European Union clients and importers favoring more stable and predictable environments like Kenya for the procurement of these products.

 

In his words “We are already losing this to Morocco; non-competitiveness in export of agro products and perishables. Imagine those that want to export green vegetables, and pineapples, among others, to Europe.

 

“What is the shelf life of these items? EU clients and importers will surely prefer a relatively more stable and predictable environment like Kenya for procurement of these products or produce,” Adewale said.

 

 

According to Segun Ajayi-Kadir, director-general of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the implications of the increase in excise duty for 2023 would result in reduced production volumes, increased illicit trade in some of the affected products, erosion of members’ market share and revenue, and inflation.

 

“Apart from the above challenges faced in the business environment, manufacturers also have to contend with currency devaluation and increasing inflation resulting in higher cost of production as our members have little to no access to foreign exchange at the official window and have to resort to the parallel market at an extra cost of around N300 to $1.00,” he said.

 

In his recommendation, he advised the government to uphold the current state of affairs concerning the excise duty hikes on these products, which have already been authorized by the government and outlined in the 2022 Fiscal Policy Measures’ three-year plan.

 

This situation has led to a significant negative impact on aviation cargo or trade services to Nigeria, and it may result in losing competitiveness in the export of agro-products and perishables to other countries.

 

The government needs to intervene in this matter to prevent the strike from generating a crisis that would be difficult to control.

 

Aviation

Akwa Ibom Boosts Ibom Air Fleet With Two New Aircraft

Published

on

In a bold step to strengthen Akwa Ibom’s position in Nigeria’s aviation industry, Governor Umo Eno announced the addition of two new Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft to the fleet of the state-owned airline, Ibom Air, on Friday.

The two aircraft, registered as 5N-CED and 5N-CEE, mark a milestone in the state’s commitment to strategic investment, with the governor stressing that the acquisitions were fully funded by state resources without loans from financial institutions.

READ ALSO: FCTA Allocates N9.8bn To Upgrade Abuja Airport’s Presidential Wing

At a welcoming ceremony attended by local officials and residents, Governor Eno emphasized his administration’s mission to drive revenue-generating ventures for Akwa Ibom rather than relying on debt.

He called the move a step toward breaking the cycle of government investments that only serve to pay off loans, vowing that the state’s funds would go towards projects that bring returns to the people.

The governor challenged Ibom Air to turn a profit by 2025, stating that the airline’s management should ensure routes in and out of Uyo remain dependable to prioritize the needs of Akwa Ibom travelers.

“As long as I remain governor, we will continue to use state funds for the benefit of all, not for private gain,” he said, noting that his administration aims to ensure that public investments deliver real value to the state.

Governor Eno also provided updates on several ambitious state projects, including an 18-story commercial complex underway in Lagos and an upcoming 4-star hotel in Abuja, both designed to generate revenue for Akwa Ibom.

Plans for an international market in Ikot Ekpene and the phased opening of a new terminal at the Victor Attah International Airport were also announced, with the airport terminal set for partial operation by December and full activation in early 2025.

Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, commended Eno’s financial management, highlighting that the administration has avoided seeking loans over the past 18 months despite launching significant development projects.

Ibom Air’s Chairman, Pastor Imoabasi Jacob, expressed appreciation for the state’s investment in the airline, which has seen its fleet grow to nine aircraft.

Jacob credited the governor’s support with enabling Ibom Air to boost flight capacity, meeting demand on popular routes such as Uyo-Lagos-Abuja.

Captain Mfon Udom, CEO of Ibom Air, stated that the expanded fleet will improve efficiency and allow the airline to scale up its operations in time for the Christmas travel season.

Udom also noted that the airline anticipates the delivery of nine additional Airbus planes, which will further strengthen Ibom Air’s market presence.

Traditional leaders, including HRM Edidem Ita Edet Okokon III of Okobo Local Government Area, lauded the governor’s leadership, pledging continued support from the traditional institutions.

Anie Essienette, Group Manager for Marketing and Communications at Ibom Air, noted that demand for the airline’s services has surged nationwide, with the new CRJ900 aircraft helping meet this increasing need while the airline awaits further fleet expansion.

 

 

Continue Reading

Aviation

BREAKING: Private Air Strip Owners Pay Handsomely – Keyamo

Published

on

 

Nigeria’s Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo is of the view that there’s no cause for alarm over the approval of a private airstrip for a religious organisation, which attracted the attention of the House of Representatives.

He took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Friday morning to shed light on the subject, and explained that it could be a great source of revenue for Federal Government.

Keyamo asserted that the issue was raised by an honourable member at plenary, out of ignorance, but was “unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into.”

ALSO READ: Why Foreign Airlines Must Patronise Nigerian Caterers – Keyamo

Keyamo expressed confidence that by the time his Ministry  was done enlightening them, “they will be satisfied”.

He added that “the privates air strip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.”

Keyamo wrote, “I think this is not correct. The House of Reps. as a body did not call on the Minister to revoke the license of any private airstrip.

“I think what happened is that someone moved a motion in that regard and it was unanimously referred to the Aviation Committee to look into it.

“Whilst the intention of the Hon. Member who moved it is very patriotic, it was based on a complete lack of knowledge of the aviation sector.

“By the time we explain to them how private air strips work and the processes they undergo by our agencies before the final approval, they will be satisfied.

“The responsibility of the owners of private air strips is just to build the runway and terminal building. But after they build the control tower in particular, it is completely handed over to the Federal Government through NAMA (Nigerian Airspace Management Agency) which is in complete control of the entire airspace in Nigeria. An MOU is usually signed with NAMA in this regard before the airstrip is approved for operations.

“It is NAMA that provides the Air Traffic Controllers and Engineers in ALL AIRPORTS and AIRSTRIPS IN NIGERIA. And the privates air strip owners pay the Federal Government handsomely for these services.

“No object flies into Nigeria without the prior clearance by NAMA and without filing a clear flight plan, eg, where it is taking off from and where it intends to land.

“And I have recently directed that all aircraft coming into the country MUST first land at our international airports where they would be properly processed and checked before they make their local flights into whatever airport or airstrip they intend to go. So, it is COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY impossible for any private airstrip owner to just jump on an aircraft and fly in and out of the country through that facility. The Federal Government does not permit that. You will not be cleared for take off or landing without prior request and authorisation.

“I thank the Member for his patriotism, but I wish he contacted us first to explain to him before rushing to move such a motion.

“I attach herewith for public consumption the NAMA Act that gives exclusive control of the Nigerian airspace to the Federal Government through NAMA.”

Continue Reading

Aviation

Helicopter Crash: Search Still On-going, No Additional Bodies Found

Published

on

 

The NNPC Ltd has clarified that beyond the three bodies found in the ill-fated helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation that crashed on Thursday in Port Harcourt, no other bodies have been recovered.

This was contained in a statement in Abuja on Sunday by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye.

ALSO READ: People Ponder Cause Of Port Harcourt Helicopter Crash

“The Company further notes that intensified search and rescue operations for the remaining bodies along with relevant authorities is still ongoing.

“Once again, our hearts and prayers are with family members of this unfortunate incident,” the statement added.

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.