Stakeholders in air freighting have identified the need for the Rivers State Government to tap into the abundant non-oil exportable resources in the state to diversify the economy and create jobs for the teeming youthful population.
The stakeholders made the call at a one-day National Airfreight Summit organized by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the Rivers State Government, which was held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on 24th October, 2024.
In a keynote presentation at the submit, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah, said Rivers State has so many agricultural and aquatic products that can be exported to create jobs and diversify the economy.
Represented by the Director Regulatory Services of the Council, Mrs. Margaret Ogbonna, Akutah said that Rivers State has the strategic potential to trigger export in the South South region with the comparative advantage of having an international airport.
He maintained that the non-oil exports in the state has not been tapped because of over reliance on oil and gas.
He said: “The non-oil exportable products in Rivers State ranging from agriculture to aqua-culture have been inadequately tapped due to over reliance on oil and gas. This abundant non-oil resources in the state if air freighted, has the potential and capacity to generate billions of Naira and create multiple jobs for the teeming population in Rivers State with an international airport as comparative advantage.
“It has the prospect of triggering exports in the entire South South Region,” adding, “The multiplier effects in terms of benefits to the economy of Rivers State include: appreciation of the value of the Naira, job creation, crime reduction, enhance business opportunities and propensity for increased internally generated revenue.”
“The selection of Rivers State in hosting the third Airfreight Summit was carefully considered in view of the strategic importance of the state as the economic and commercial hub of the South South Region and being the only state within the region with an international airport and proximity to other South South states, made it very suitable and sustainable for airfreight business.
“Rivers State is inarguably endowed with many exportable agricultural and aquatic products with potentials for good business opportunities and revenue generation,” he added.
While charging the government to look inward and harness the non-oil exports resources through air freighting, he commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for partnering the Council in hosting the summit saying, ” Your vision and commitment for economic prosperity of your people is ably demonstrated by your support and readiness to collaborate in the hosting of today’s event.”
Commenting on the theme of the event, “Diversification of Nigeria Economy: Harnessing the Potentials of airfreighting,” the Executive Secretary said the summit is strategically targeted to stimulate discussions and engagement with critical stakeholders on how best to diversify the nation’s economy, stressing that airfreighting holds tremendous opportunities in the diversification of the nation’s economy, being one of the easiest gateways to accessing international markets with less cumbersome process and procedures.
Also speaking, National Chairman of Airfreight Stakeholders Forum, ASF, Mr. Olufade Toyin, said there is need for government to take diversification of the economy as a priority because of the growing population.
He called on government and relevant agencies to make all the airports in the country working to encourage exports.
According to him: “We have 13 cargo airports in Nigeria and one agro-allied airport to be launched in Ogun State to drive cargo business, but I’m sad to say that only five are functional.
“What are the challenges? Duplicity of functions of government agencies, administrative bottlenecks, lack of automation of airport operations, non- turnaround time for processes, lack of adequate insurance coverage, lack of education for the teeming youthful population for this industry and insecurity.
“We can experience exponential growth in our cargo output should we become intentional in developing the sector,” he stated.
Meanwhile, in a communique issued at the end of the summit, participants resolved among other things that there is a need for the government to prioritize investments in the modernization and expansion of the Port Harcourt International Airport and associated cargo facilities to accommodate high-volume airfreight operations.
They also resolved that there is a need to foster partnerships among airlines, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders to share best practices and address common challenges collaboratively.
