By LAWANI MIKAIRU

Managing Director, Skyway Aviation  Handling Company, SAHCOL, Mr. Oluropo Owolabi, has called on the federal government to grant aviation handling companies zero tariff on the importation of machines and equipment. He said this became imperative following the granting of zero tariffs on aircraft spare parts.

Owolabi  made this plea while addressing aviation reporters at the company’s corporate head office at the cargo section of Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

He said, “Government meant well for the industry when it said it was embarking on the upgrade of airports and at the same time it should be supportive when handling companies are buying equipment and machines that airlines need for smooth operation”.

The SAHCOL boss decried double taxation by the airport authority and expressed the hope that the committee set up by the aviation minister will address the ugly trend. He noted that what they got from airlines were not commiserate with services rendered by handling companies.

He said the construction the SAHCOL’s multi-million naira bonded warehouse is at the final stage and will be the best in Africa in terms of facilities being provided. He lamented the recent closure of cargo warehouses by the government as a result of misunderstanding between agents and customs.

He however appealed to the government to assist in implement the rules that govern the procedure of issues that necessitated the closure of warehouses of handling companies. He added that SAHCOL has not recovered from the billions of naira it lost during the closure of the warehouses.

“We have to engage extra hands to handle security aspects of peoples’ baggage. We have to work extra hours with men of the Nigeria Customs Services to decongest the tarmac because of the small size of the apron where cargo freights are parked”, he said.