The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has approved the recent 20 per cent cargo tariff increase being implemented by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO Aviance), putting paid to months of face-off between licensed customs agents and the handlers.
Manager, Communications and Corporate Services of NAHCO, Mr Tayo Ajakaye, said this in a statement yesterday in Lagos.
The NAHCO provides aircraft, passenger, and cargo handling services, and other related services in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has approved the recent 20 per cent cargo tariff increase being implemented by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO Aviance), putting paid to months of face-off between licensed customs agents and the handlers.
Manager, Communications and Corporate Services of NAHCO, Mr Tayo Ajakaye, said this in a statement yesterday in Lagos.
The NAHCO provides aircraft, passenger, and cargo handling services, and other related services in Nigeria.
He said the NCAA’s Director-General, Capt. Muhtar Usman, gave the approval in a letter dated June 2 which was addressed to the MD/CEO of NAHCO, Mr Norbert Bielderman.
Ajakaye said:“Although the official approval by the NCAA is being made public now, it is a sign of endorsement of the processes embarked upon by the ground handling company in reviewing its tariffs.”
He explained that NAHCO and clearing agents under the aegis of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) had on May 15 reached an agreement on the increment.
Subsequently, the Import Handling Charge was increased from N38 per kg to N46 per kg and the Courier Handling Charge from N45 per kg to N54 per kg as agreed with the stakeholders.
Ajakaye said the approval was in line with Part 18.7.3.1 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2012.
He said the regulatory agency commended NAHCO for embarking on wide consultations with all stakeholders before the tariff increase.
He said the NCAA also advised NAHCO to ensure adequate consultations with the stakeholders in line with the laid down guidelines and regulations guiding review or introduction of any charge.
Meanwhile NAHCO has assured that it will form harmonious working relationship with the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).
In the past, NAHCO and ANCLA had squabbles, largely on issues of tariff, leading to protests and unrests but, lately, the relation has improved significantly.
As part of efforts to deepen the ties, NAHCO recently donated a Toyota Hiace bus to ANCLA.
In a brief ceremony at the company’s head office in Ikeja, NAHCO restated its commitment to ensuring the well-being of the members of the association.
The company’s MD/CEO, Mr. Norbert Bielderman, said NAHCO considered ANLCA as important to the company’s all – round dominance of the ground handling business in Nigeria.
He said that NAHCO would continue to prioritise the welfare of ANLCA and its members.
The Chairman of ANLCA, Mr Aloy Igwewho, who led the team of ANLCA members to the handing over ceremony, expressed the appreciation of the association to Nahco’s management.
Igwe said that ANLCA has always had a good relationship with NAHCO, adding: “A good relationship already exists but this will only strengthen the tie even more.”
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