Nigeria’s Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has commended Nigeria Aviation Handling Company Plc, Nahco, on the commissioning of its state-of-the-art Export Processing And Packaging Facility, built to facilitate the export of fresh produce from the country.
He said Nigeria currently stands at a crucial juncture, as the export business offers immense opportunities for economic growth and development.
Keyamo who was represented by the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, said most of the challenges of exporting perishable goods from the country will be highly mitigated with the newly built facility.
According to him, issues around the shelf-life of the crops, temperature control, packaging, handling and regulatory compliance will be a thing of the past.
He said: “FAAN and NAHCO have shared history as the Authority used to be the custodian of the Federal Government’s equity in the business, and since the divestment, we have continued to partner for the good and prosperity of Nigeria and Nigerians. The Aviation Industry has benefitted immensely from that partnership and today’s event is a physical manifestation of that relationship.
“Nigeria currently stands at a crucial juncture, as the export business offers immense opportunities for economic growth and development. This is why I am most excited for this facility’s opening for business. With the equipment, expertise and offices here, most of the challenges of exporting perishable goods will be highly mitigated. Issues around the shelf-life of the crops, temperature control, packaging, handling and regulatory compliance will be a thing of the past.
“In a world where revenue growth is key, I want to assure NAHCO that we will continue to support them in this and other ventures. It is my hope that exporters and other stakeholders will take full advantage of this facility to boost Nigeria’s export numbers, which will impact positively on our balance of payment position and strengthen the Naira“.
Also speaking at the event, Olusegun Awolowo, Secretary National Action Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), said without non-oil export, it would be difficult for the country to drive the economy adding that the export processing and packaging centre built by NAHCO was a timely intervention.
READ: Africa: Nigeria’s Aviation Domestic Football Team Lifts NAHCO Chairman’s Cup
He said there is need to increase the number of such facility across the country adding that the government needs to encourage the firm to establish more export facilities in Nigeria.
Awolowo who is the former, Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, said with the establishment of such facilities in other regions in Nigeria, agro-exporters do not need to ferry their produce to Lagos for processing noting that they can easily export the produce whereever they are based.
Coordinator, Aviacargo Roadmap Committee, Ambassador Ikechi Uko, also commended the ground handling firm for the foresight of establishing such facility, noting that it has implemented some the recommendations the committee is proposing.
He stated that some of the features built into the new processing centre are part of the recommendations the Aviacargo committee will be making to the Federal Government when its report is ready.
Earlier in his welcome address, the GMD/CEO, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, Mr. Indranil Gupta, the commissioning of the Export Packaging and Processing Centre in Nigeria, which is one of its kind, marks great occasion in the life of the Company.
According to him, Non-oil exports will play a pivotal role in strengthening the economic might of Nigeria, noting that exports goes beyond sending goods outside our borders.
He said: “Exports bring about economic development by way of earning Forex and also helps the domestic economy by generating jobs, thereby putting money into the pockets of our countrymen. Moreover, Exports has the potential of impacting a nations image, as a nation gets to be known by the products they export. Biggest example of this phenomenon is China.
“The, ever increasing, Nigerian diaspora is playing a pivotal role in popularising the Nigerian agricultural produce, globally. Proper processing and packaging facilities are crucial to the endeavor of reaching those products to them. This Export Processing and Packaging Centre is our contribution towards meeting this need as a nation“.
