BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
In what is best described as an audacious facility upgrade, the Chairman of Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc has acquired new cargo handling equipment, just as it is pushing for stronger cooperation among aviation stakeholders and increased investment in infrastructure to improve Nigeria’s air cargo competitiveness.
This was the position of the Chairman, Dr Taiwo Afolabi, who spoke at the company’s Cargo Stakeholders Forum in Ikeja, Lagos, recently.
Represented by SAHCO’s Managing Director, Mrs Adenike Aboderin at the event, he rallied industry players and discussed ways to improve cargo handling, strengthen security and reduce delays at airports.
Afolabi said efficient air cargo operations were essential to international trade, business growth and Nigeria’s economic development, stressing that airlines, freight forwarders, regulators, cargo agents, importers and exporters must work together to ensure the smooth movement of goods.
According to him, the speed, reliability, security and efficiency of cargo services determine how well businesses compete in the global market.
“At SAHCO Plc, we recognise that our success is closely linked to the success of every stakeholder within the cargo value chain,” he said.
Afolabi said the company had continued to invest in modern equipment, technology and infrastructure to improve service delivery and meet the growing demands of the industry.
Among the new facilities are a dual-view X-ray machine for improved cargo screening, a trace detection machine to identify potential security threats, and a 16-tonne forklift for handling heavy and oversized consignments.
He said the investments would strengthen cargo security, improve regulatory compliance and make loading, offloading and cargo movement more efficient.
The company has also introduced specialised cold-chain handling facilities for temperature-sensitive goods, including pharmaceutical products and perishable items.
Afolabi said the facilities would help protect cargo quality, reduce the risk of damage and ensure that sensitive goods were handled under appropriate conditions.
He added that SAHCO had expanded its cargo build-up area to improve workflow, make better use of available space and accommodate increasing cargo volumes.
However, he stressed that modern equipment and infrastructure alone could not guarantee efficient operations without a skilled workforce, strict compliance with safety standards and effective communication among industry players.
The forum provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss operational challenges, exchange feedback and identify practical ways to reduce cargo turnaround times, improve security and facilitate trade.
Participants also called for greater cooperation across the cargo value chain to strengthen security and address bottlenecks affecting cargo movement at Nigerian airports.
SAHCO said it would continue to engage stakeholders and use their feedback to improve its services, with the aim of positioning Nigeria as a reliable player in the global air cargo market.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
