The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) will on Thursday at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu commission the largest cargo warehouse in Eastern Nigeria.
The Chairman of the company, Alhaji Suleiman Yahaya, said in Enugu on Wednesday when the management of the company visited Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State that the investment by NAHCO was significant.
Yahaya said that the state would have direct access to international trade hubs like China, Dubai and Europe.
“This is because cargoes will be globally consolidated as it will be cheaper for eastern businessmen to directly send their cargoes to the zone through Enugu.
“We estimate that about N60 billion worth of cargoes which is about 20 per cent of the entire cargo operations in Lagos are destined to the five eastern states.
“A lot of the cargoes find their way to Enugu, Onitsha, Aba and Umuahia,” he said.
Yahaya said that the investment would generate a lot of economic multipliers to the state, especially in the manufacturing, extractive and processing sectors.
“We have benchmarked our cargo station in Enugu to compete with our other locations in Port Harcourt, Kano, Abuja and over time Lagos.
“There will be a lot of income, which if properly harmonised by your state, will significantly augment your internally generated revenue,” he said.
The chairman said that the company had done a six-month test run of cargo shipment with the Ethiopian airline which is currently the only one at the international wing of the airport.
“Other airlines, including Emirate, Etihad and Lufthansa are now ready to bring cargo upon the commissioning of this project.
“We have two warehouses — one in the airport for import and export and another one we rented and developed to process large number of cargo,” he said.
He said that with NAHCO listed on the stock exchange with more than 80,000 shareholders, the company was ready to do business in the region.
Yahaya appealed to the Federal Government to complete the upgrade of the airport to international standard as well as install cargo handling equipments as obtained in other international airports.
Responding, Ugwuanyi commended NAHCO for the huge investment which would transform the economy of the region.
He said that the state government would support the company in any way possible to make its operations effective.
“With this construction, we are sure to assist you in any way possible. We are indebted to you for this timely intervention on our behalf in the aviation sector,” he said.
Ugwuanyi said that the people of the state were poised to reap the full benefits of the investment. (NAN)
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