Consistent support and trust in its professionalism in aviation ground Handling by growing number of clients have over the years grown Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc to lofty heights, this is the summary of the statement of the Chairman of one of the leading ground handling company, Dr Seinde Fadeni, during a dinner organized for its clients over the weekend.
Fadeni who recalled that the ground handling company was faced with a myriad of challenges in the recent time, noted that the unflinching supports from the clients gave it the strength to flying higher in success.
The clients in attendance at the dinner included personalities from Clearing Agencies, airlines, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) among others,
Fadeni agreed that there are numerous challenges limiting the growth of ground handling business in Nigeria, he nevertheless assured that as a leading company in the sector, NAHCO would continue to deliver quality and excellent services to its clients.
Responding to comments and observations of clients and stakeholders at the gathering, the Chairman regretted that some of the issues raised by the airlines and clearing agents were beyond the purview of the company. He however assured that NAHCO would collaborate with FAAN and other major stakeholders to address the bottlenecks in the sub-sector.
Also, he noted that some of the ground support equipment are ageing, and that the current Board of Directors has approved a sum of N4 billion for the Managemen for equipment upgrade. He assured the company would soon take delivery.
“We are trying as much as possible to aggressively improve on the equipment, which we have now. Some of our equipment are as old as 20 years and above.
“We are working hard to ensure that we serve our clients better.
“However, we know that we can’t have it all 100 percent, but we are consistently working to ensure we satisfy our customers. Today is the night of our customers. We know they are kings, and we must treat them as such,” Fadeni said.
In his speech at the occassion, NAHCO’s Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Indranil Gupta told the gathering that the handling company had performed the foundation stone laying of its export processing centre at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.Gupta said construction work would soon start on the structure, which is being conceptualised as a two- storey building, adding that all the facilities at the centre would be automated for seamless transaction.
On the monument gate that is permanently locked, he said, “we understand your challenge as clearing agents, but we must also listen to the concerns of FAAN, too. I am sure FAAN doesn’t want to make life difficult for its clients. They know why they locked up the gate, but I can assure you that we will discuss with them soon.”
Earlier, some of the clients commended NAHCO for making them top priority; they assured the company of their continue support and patronage.
Mr. Segun Musa, a leading clearing agent, and an executive of the clearing agents’ association, lauded the company for fostering good relationship with its customers, promising that the association would continue to be a ‘’partner in progress.”
He however appealed to the management to improve on its equipment, especially those at its export warehouse.
Also, Murphy Thomas, Managing Director, Everspeed Nigeria Limited, lauded NAHCO for addressing the complaints of clients regularly.
Managing Director of Cargolux, Mr. Kingsley Nwokoma who observed that the ease-of-doing business scheme of the Federal Government was still being confronted with some challenges in the sub-sector, suggested that the layers of security agencies at the export warehouse should be reduced to a one stop search.
This Nwokama noted that if done, would reduce some of the challenges clearing agents faced in the terminal.
He suggested that management should address the challenges through a meeting with the various security agencies at the export warehouse,
In his closing remarks, the Group Executive Director, Commercial and Business Development, Prince Saheed Lasisi assured the gathering of the management’s resolve to address all issues raised with all the seriousness.
’’We will not relax until we are sure that our clients are happy, and we are open to further suggestions,” he concluded.
NAHCO Plc is a Nigerian diversified group with interests in air cargo services, aircraft handling, passenger facilitation, crew transportation, aviation training, airport free zone and logistics.
The company currently serves several customers across 19 airports within Nigeria, and handles the larger market share of domestic, foreign and cargo airlines.
NAHCO was privatized by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2005 and was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2006. It is one of the fastest growing stocks at NGX, with a gain of over 175% in recent time.
