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Cargo clearance at Lagos Airport on course – Nahco

By BusinessNews Staff on January 3, 2015

The Nigeria Aviation Handling Company Plc (nahco aviance) has said clearance of goods at the cargo terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, is on-going and will end by the first week of January.

This was disclosed by the acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Norbert Bielderman.

The company’s spokesman, Mr. Tayo Ajakaye, quoted Bielderman as saying that everything was under control and work was progressing steadily.

“All hands have been on deck to ensure that the backlog is cleared. Currently we have cleared approximately 60 per cent. We are hopeful that the situation will be back to normal by the end of the first week of 2015. We currently do 24 hours decongestion on the tarmac, which has yielded positive result,” Bielderman was quoted saying in a statement.

The nahco aviance’ boss restated that the seven-days-a-week work strategy adopted by the company has gone a long way in reducing the volume of cargo on the tarmac.
On whether this strategy also meant that work will continue at Christmas, Bielderman said, “By joint agreement between terminal operators, clearing agents and Customs, it was decided that work be put off for the public holidays of 25 and 26 of December 2014. Full operations resumed on December 27 till the end of 2014. This enabled all concerned to have a little rest and re-energise. This position was agreed between all stakeholders in cargo clearing business,” he said.

Bielderman also disclosed that because of the nature of the task at hand, the senior management team and himself have been on ground during the holidays and would continue to work until the situation get back to normal.

“Due to the situation in cargo, I will not be going on leave. My senior management team and myself will be on ground during this holiday season until the situation is back to normal in cargo.”

He commended the excellent working relationship with stakeholders, adding that everyone is doing great to ensure the situation is contained, particularly Customs and clearing agents’ leadership.

He, however, appealed to importers for their understanding during this period, even as he promised that nahco aviance was doing everything possible to ensure that their shipments were delivered safely without further delay.

“We truly never envisage this situation. However, all necessary mechanisms have been put in place to guide against a repeat of this ugly incident,” he re-assured.

Bielderman also expressed appreciation to clearing agents for their support and cooperation and requested them to sustain the current trend.

“The entire board and management of nahco aviance like to appreciate all our client airlines, clearing agents, customs, FAAN, and other critical stakeholders in air cargo for the support and cooperation in this critical period. We wish them all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance,” Bielderman stated.

[ThisDay]

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