Skyways Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) has unveiled plans to expand its warehouse with an additional 10, 000 square metres bringing the total size of the warehouse to 15,000 square metres.

Managing Director of SAHCOL, Mr. Isaac Orulugbagbe who spoke to newsmen yesterday at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Lagos also said that the company is investing N3billion to acquire ground handling equipment.

The SAHCOL boss who spoke against the backdrop of what the company has been able to achieve in the last 12 months since the inception of its new management team, said that they have already completed the 5, 000 square metres warehouse.

On the funds earmarked for equipment, he said that the company will acquire at least 200 dollies; some containers dollies and others fixed pallets. He also said that the SAHCOL will acquire tow tractors and loaders which will aid the company’s effectiveness.

He also said that the company has installed 50 close circuit Television (CCTV) that record the entire cargo operations inside the warehouse and outside the warehouse and some section of the tarmac to help improve the security in that section.

“We have communication between the head office in Apapa and the airport. Also on IT we have installed CCTV system that records the entire cargo section both inside the warehouse, outside the warehouse and even some sections of the tarmac.

We are talking about over 50 cameras that are operating 24 hours and is an internet based system so from my telephone, I can check any of the camera. We are recording on a 24hopur basis and the backup is outside the premises.”

Orulugbagbe also said that the company has started implementation of international standards for ground handling operators called IATA Safety Assessment for Ground Handling Operators (ISAGO) which will aid in improving the company’s safety standard.

“As we are talking right now, we have started implementation of this global standard for safety for ground handlers we call it ISAGO established by IATA. We have started speaking with IATA and the IATA instructors are right here talking with us and our first batch of 40 ISAGO auditors. We are not using consultants we are using our own people.”