Cargo agents operating within the country have been warned to desist from moving dangerous and prohibited goods within or outside the nation.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) gave the warning at a seminar for cargo agents on Wednesday in Lagos.
The seminar was organised by a cargo consolidator– Greater Washington Logistics.
The two government agencies urged the agents to painstakingly check any good handed over to them, adding that their failure to do this might lead to their prosecution.
Cargo agents operating within the country have been warned to desist from moving dangerous and prohibited goods within or outside the nation.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) gave the warning at a seminar for cargo agents on Wednesday in Lagos.
The seminar was organised by a cargo consolidator– Greater Washington Logistics.
The two government agencies urged the agents to painstakingly check any good handed over to them, adding that their failure to do this might lead to their prosecution.
Mr Austin Eboigbe, the Safety Inspector of NCAA, advised the cargo agents to report any suspicious cargo to the appropriate authorities.
Eboigbe said that several air crashes happened because of improper handling of dangerous goods onboard aircraft.
According to him, the agency is currently investigating incidents relating to dangerous goods carried within the country by some agents.
Eboigbe added that such dangerous goods included fireworks, lighter, gas cooker, body spray and magnets.
He warned that the agency would not hesitate to withdraw the licence of any agent or sanction any airline found wanting.
Mr Nasir Kotangora, the Head of NDLEA at the Murtula Muhammed Airport, Lagos, said that drugs were dangerous goods, which could cause harm to the aircraft.
“As agents, you are expected to crosscheck properly any luggage you collect for shipment.
“Dangerous goods for shipment should be accompanied with the required papers.
“Any powder you are collecting should be subjected to forensic analysis.
“It is the responsibility of all to ensure total security within the airports,” he said.
Mr Agbongban Bright, the Group Head, Regional Business and Cargo Shed Manager, Greater Washington Logistics, said that the company organised the seminar to sensitise the agents on the shipment of dangerous goods.
Bright urged the agents to always follow safety standards and practice as laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the International Air Transport Association.
“In recent times, we have had cases of some agents who ignorantly shipped items that constituted dangerous goods, which the agency had to identify because it was not known to the agents.
“We see that this has become a recurring issue and we need to organise a seminar like this to create awareness among the agents on what constitute dangerous goods,” he said.
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