Aviation Minister, Mr. Osita Chidoka, has said that the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc(NAHCo Aviance),would be a great partner in the Federal Government’s agro – based export programme.
This is just as NAHCo disclosed that it plans to invest over $500 million in the development of its Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in the next five years.
Chidoka said this when the Board of the Company led by its Chairman, Mallam Suleiman Yahyah paid him a courtesy call in his Abuja office yesterday.
Chidoka said with the capacity and efficiency of the cargo handling company, government could be rest assured that the expected agricultural output would be well taken care of in terms of export capabilities.
He promised to contact his counterpart in the Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr.Akinwunmi Adesina, to see how the Agriculture Ministry and NAHCo can work together, pledging to bring the two sides together to facilitate a partnership that would work well for the development of the country’s economy.
Chidoka said there is much to be done to improve the cargo industry in Nigeria commending NAHCo Aviance for leading the improvement path.
The minister wondered why the country does not have an air cargo system that moves fresh food stuffs from one part of the country to the other same day when the foodstuffs and fruits are still very fresh, adding that these are the kinds of things the aviation sector should be able to accomplish.
“Why can’t tomatoes be moved by air from Yola to Lagos,” he asked.
He also envisaged a situation where the agro sector would be able to join hands with NAHCo in maximising the opportunities that exist in the implementation of the company’s Free Trade Zone licence.
While restating that government does not have to involve itself in running businesses, Chidoka assures that the infrastructure and the enabling environment would be provided to afford operators optimize their capabilities and efficiencies.
Source : Independent
