The Nigerian federal government has expressed concern over foreign airlines departing the country with cargo planes empty, citing high charges levied on loading export cargoes from Nigeria to other nations.
According to leadership.ng, Speaking during the Business Breakfast Meeting organised by the Aviation Round Table Initiative (ARTI), titled, Nigerian Aviation Sector Charges, Duties & Tariffs: Truly Exorbitant?, the chairman, Sabre Network CWA, West Africa, the Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, said expensive overnight parking has also led to some airlines favouring neighbouring countries to Nigeria.
Oyedele, however, assured industry stakeholders of the committee’s readiness to support the aviation sector in overcoming the levy and tariff challenges hindering its growth.
“Some reports indicate that carriers often opt to fly outbound cargo planes empty rather than incur exorbitant charges for loading goods from Nigeria to other countries.
Similarly, expensive overnight parking has led to some airlines favouring neighbouring countries. To remain competitive regionally and on the global stage, we must address the burden of multiple agencies, complex paperwork, and a plethora of taxes and levies.
“As a nation, we cannot aspire to be competitive while at the same time burdening businesses with complex processes. We must cease taxing seeds and, instead, foster an environment that encourages businesses to thrive, bearing fruits that we can tax. In this pursuit, the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee was established, with a clear mandate to harmonize taxes and revenue collection agencies, promote business growth, and cultivate a competitive landscape, among others.”
Oyedele also bemoaned the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA’s) ranking of Lagos, Abuja airports as the most expensive in the world .
