The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, (NAHCO) PLC, said at the weekend that it has invested N1 billion on the facilitation of the Export Processing Centre (EPC), in Lagos.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos, group managing director, Indranil Gupta, said NAHCO also plans to replicate the same facility in its Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Enugu stations.
He, however, disclosed that it will expand its EPCs as soon as the Lagos centre yields expected results.
He said NAHCO is completely focused on export, adding that the EPCs would enhance standardisation of Export processing system.
“The idea is that Nigerian products will be in one shop where they will be well sorted, arranged and packaged before being transported abroad. We plan to put forward some ideas on improving exportation before the Aviacargo committee. I know that Nigeria can be the food basket of the continent if the producers and farmers are aware of the potential of the continent. It is much more profitable to export than to import because it comes with foreign exchange,” he said.
On Ground Support Equipment (GSE), Gupta said naira depreciation has led to an increase in operating cost, adding that naira devaluation has adversely affected the importation of handling equipment.
“The company could have significantly done better but for naira depreciation. I hope the purchasing power will improve, that will help in our input volumes, that will also attract more airlines into Nigeria. The total number of air travellers is between 19 to 20 million, Nigeria is not a poor country, but we look forward to more entrepreneurs, so all these can help us get more Nigerians to fly.”
Also speaking, the group executive director of NAHCO, Saheed Lasisi, said NAHCo is spearheading the exportation business with the centres coming up as links with farmers and serious exporters.
“Our focus is to encourage Nigerian exporters and farmers. Some of our staff were in London for training on packaging and others recently and we have also identified five major airports for this. We are also hopeful that purchasing power will improve,” he said.
