Ezike Ifesinachi, the general manager (GM) of Port Harcourt International Airport, says cargo operations remain low despite the airport’s state-of-the-art facilities.
Ifesinachi, who also serves as the regional manager for the south-south zone of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), spoke in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
She said most of the cargo infrastructure has remained idle due to underutilisation.
“Facilities here are top-notch to handle all cargo operations; we have the manpower and state-of-the-art terminal building,” Ifesinachi said.
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“We have all it takes to handle large volume of freight or cargo operations, yet, these equipment are underutilised due to some lingering operational hitches.”
The managing director said she raised the issue of freight differentials with the house committee on customs during their recent visit, and the chairman, Leke Abejide, promised to address the concerns.
“At that level I am sure something will be done to tackle the issue of ‘freight differentials’ and other encumbrances militating against cargo operations at Port Harcourt Airport,” she said.
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Charles Onyema, chairman of the Port Harcourt International Airport chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), said there is a lack of political will from leaders in the south-south and south-east to improve the situation.
“Our leaders have refused to draw the attention of relevant authorities to help tackle encumbrances militating against smooth cargo operations. This silence is unhealthy for the economic wellbeing of the regions,” he said.
Onyema called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, noting that similar action in Kano helped revive cargo operations there.
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