NSC, stakeholders lament poor airfreight activities in Port Harcourt International Airport

Nigeria Shippers’ Council, NSC, and its Airfreight stakeholders have expressed worries over low economic activities at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa. The summit stressed the need for the Government of Rivers State to pay attention to the upgrade of Port Harcourt International Airport to position it for exportation of agro-products, adding that it would continue to sensitise shippers to export from the zone as not much is happening through the Port Harcourt international airport as expected. These were contained a 23-point Communique released at the end of a one-day national Airfreight summit organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the Airfreight Stakeholders’ Forum (ASF) in collaboration with Rivers State Government with the theme “Diversification of Nigeria Economy: Harnessing the Potentials of Airfreighting. The summit which brought key stakeholders from various sectors was to explore the transformative role of airfreight in driving economic growth and diversification in Nigeria, seeking avenues to instigate collaborate with the government to address challenges in the airfreight sector.
The forum pointed out that there are limitations of Port Harcourt International Airport to handle high-volume air freight, indicating a need for improved infrastructure. However, the participants resolved that there is a need for the government to prioritise investments in the modernisation and expansion of Port Harcourt International Airport and associated cargo facilities to accommodate high-volume airfreight operations. The communique called on the Rivers State government to make investment in the export sector, stating that it was a source of revenue for any state.
The Communique read in part: “That there is a need for relevant government agencies to collaborate to streamline processes and reduce bureaucratic barriers in other to facilitate efficient airfreight operations at lower costs. That there is a need for the government of Rivers State to work with security agencies to enhance the safety of airfreight operations and implement measures to mitigate risks related to airfreight operations. That there is need for the Government of Rivers State to pay attention to the upgrade of Port Harcourt International Airport to position it for exportation of agro-products. That Shippers’ Council should continue to sensitise shippers and encourage export from the zone as not much is happening through the Port Harcourt international airport as expected.”