The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has secured an agreement with key stakeholders to enforce the payment of statutory port charges at the Pilgrims & Cargo Terminal (PCT) of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) to shore up its revenue generation drive.
This decision comes after the authority reportedly lost significant revenue over the past 18 years as a result of non-compliance.
The enforcement initiative, spearheaded by FAAN’s Directorate of Cargo Development & Services (DCDS), is designed to increase transparency and accountability.
According to Lekan Thomas, Director of Cargo Development Services for the FAAN, the port charge is not new, but ensuring its payment before cargo leaves the warehouses has been a long-standing challenge.
To address this issue, Thomas stated at a high-level stakeholder meeting that FAAN is prepared to implement robust access control systems and electronic platforms to ensure compliance without slowing down cargo operations.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has pledged its full support for the initiative. MMIA Customs Area Comptroller, Mr. Awe, committed to briefing shed heads and facilitating collaboration through a stakeholder forum to ensure a smooth transition.
This strategic shift is credited to the visionary leadership of FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku.
Under her guidance, FAAN is not only implementing innovative solutions for revenue assurance but also forming strategic partnerships to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global air cargo market.
As part of the new framework, FAAN will formalise the agreements with stakeholders through Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).
The DCDS will establish a Cargo Community Forum, an engagement platform for all players in the cargo value chain, including regulators, operators, and freight forwarders, to foster dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.
FAAN is expected to begin implementing access control measures shortly, with an electronic stakeholder engagement platform also in development.
The meeting, which secured these agreements, was attended by representatives from FAAN, NCS, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO), and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO).
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