Aviation
Pilferage of cargoes: FG urged to enhance security at airports
LAGOS – Following incessant complaints of cargo pilfering at the Sea and airports, The Nigerian Government has been urged to enhance security measures at these points of entrance as one of the ways of eliminating pilfering of cargoes and luggages at the Country’s ports.
Managing Director, HontGlobal Services Nigeria, Limited, Mr. Humphrey Okonkwo who made the call said that not a few millions of dollars has been lost to the pilferage of luggages and cargoes at both these ports.
Mr. Okonkwo further appealed to the government to install sophisticated scanning machines as well as Close Circuits Television cameras, (CCTVs) at the airports and seasports as one of the ways of checking pilferage of cargo stressing that the normal routine of customs officers by cutting cargoes were destroying the goods.
According to him,”Government should put in place better technology, enhanced security system at both the airports and seaports and with this, I think pilfering at the airports and seaports can be eliminated. In addition, Installation of CCTVs is part of it, this can be done but who is going to implement it”
Mr. Okonkwo however said that when compared to the past the rate of cargo pilferage at the airports and seaports have reduced but stressed that the government needs to put in place adequate security agencies to eliminate the problem once and for all.
“In the case of pilfering of cargoes and all that, the major challenge is in the seaport and at the airport, when you go into the ports, you will find out that even your cars are been vandalised before it gets out from the gate and those things were been done by the so call staff, employees of these ports authorities” he added.
Mr. Okonkwo added that apart from the challenge of pilferage, the company is faced with numerous and hidden charges levelled on her by authorities at the airports and seaports.
“During the process of clearing our goods and cargoes at the airport and seaports, we found out that the charges especially the terminal charges and handling charges, they are so expensive and again the duty that is been paid on the goods are so high hence we have tariff issues”
“So you find out that there are a lot of hidden charges even though, you have given your client quotation but you still incure a lot of hidden charges, charges that are not receipted, so you can’t claim it back from your clients so with that, if the government can help us in standardising this process so that all those things can be eliminated, I think we should be fine” Mr. Okonkwo said.
The HontGlobal Services MD also pointed out that the company has been contributing about $US100million to the nation’s economy through the payment of services rendered to her by the airlines as well as vessel at the seaports and airports respectively.
According to him, HontGlobal is the fourth largest logistics company in Houston, United States noting that the aim of the company was to move, equipment, goods and cargoes from one part of the world to another.
He further stressed that the company was starting its operations in Nigeria inorder to help Nigerians all around the world to move goods, equipment and cargoes from any part of the world to their doorstep.
He said”We move equipment worth millions of dollars for Exxon Mobil and other oil companies who are our clients. We have bidded for jobs and our competitors in the energy sector right now is DHL, Fedex, UPS. In Houston, we are the fourth largest logistics company, we handle projects worth millions of dollars for oil and gas companies.
“In a year, we pay the airlines close to $40million just the airlines for their services for helping us to freight cargo then we pay the vessel companies at least $50million dollars a year, so if we put those together it gives us $90million, we pay like $90million to $100million but that is just for the airlines and vessels, we are not talking about procurement and the rest of them” Mr. Okonkwo said.
An Abuja-Accra flight experienced technical difficulties mid-air on Friday, forcing it to return to Abuja, shortly after departure.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Board (NSIB) made the disclosure in a statement, adding that it has launched investigation into what it described as a serious accident.
Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji stated that preliminary investigations revealed the aircraft experienced an engine number two indication issue.
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It was gathered that the aircraft, with registration number 5NKAL which was operating a flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja (DNAA), to Kotoka International Airport, Accra (DGAA).
She explained that four persons were onboard when the incident occurred. The crew immediately requested for a diversion back to Abuja due to the engine indication.
Oladeji added that the crew managed to safely land the aircraft at Abuja Airport at 18:16 UTC.
There were no injuries reported, and all individuals on board are safe.
Nigeria has acquired 12 pre-owned Alpha Jets from the French Air Force as part of efforts to enhance the operational capacity of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The deal, facilitated through SOFEMA, a French military and aeronautics company, was announced by Olusegun Dada, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on via X on Thursday.
He said, “All the 12 aircraft are ready for shipping.”
The Alpha Jet, a product of Franco-German collaboration, is a versatile military aircraft designed for light attack and advanced training missions.
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Equipped to carry bombs, rockets, and missiles, the aircraft also features a gun pod for close air support.
The NAF already operates 11 Alpha Jets, but this latest procurement signals a significant boost to its fleet.
Dada also confirmed that the Air Force is expecting 24 M-346FA light attack aircraft, ordered during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The first batch of these Italian-made aircraft is expected to arrive early next year.
Air Chief Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff, described the acquisitions as a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to bolstering the armed forces.
“This renewal of our aircraft fleet reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians,” Abubakar said.
The announcement comes on the heels of President Tinubu’s three-day state visit to France, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The visit, which took place from November 27 to November 30, highlighted deepening ties between the two nations.
To ensure the sustainability of its expanding fleet, the Air Force has proposed establishing a local maintenance hub.
Speaking in October, Abubakar noted that six units of the M-346FA aircraft were already in production, with the initial batch of three expected to be delivered in early 2025. The full fleet is projected to arrive by 2026.
“These developments underscore the importance of creating a domestic support system for the long-term upkeep of our aircraft,” Abubakar added.
As the holiday season draws near, Aero Contractors has introduced a minimum ticket price of N80,000 for all local flights.
The move, which will last until January 2024, aims to ease the financial burden on Nigerians amid the high cost of living.
Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors, made the announcement on Tuesday during a press briefing, describing the fare reduction as a gesture to help Nigerians celebrate Christmas and the New Year without the stress of steep ticket prices.
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Sanusi said, “We understand the economic hardship Nigerians are facing, especially with high ticket prices, and we know the holiday season is nearby.
“In the spirit of Christmas, Aero Contractors has introduced what we call pocket-friendly Christmas prices. These fares, starting at N80,000, will apply to all our destinations, allowing Nigerians to travel without excessive costs.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, an economy class ticket from Lagos to Abuja was priced at N99,643, while business class tickets were being sold for N189,167.
Sanusi further explained that the initiative was designed to make it easier for families to reunite during the holidays.
“This is a way for us, as an organization with a long history of serving Nigerians, to give back to our loyal customers. We want to make it possible for families to meet their loved ones during this festive season without worrying about exorbitant travel costs,” he added.
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