Nosa Aituamen
Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, the nation’s premier gateway, is undergoing a radical transformation, spearheaded by the Directorate of Cargo Development and Services of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN.
A mission to sanitize and modernize the airport’s cargo and Hajj terminals is underway, promising to eradicate the “rowdy market” atmosphere and usher in an era of efficiency, security, and compliance.
“Imagine Oshodi market, but for cargo,” a cargo expert lamented, painting a vivid picture of the current state of the terminal. “This environment is far from the efficient, compliant, and secure hub it needs to be.”
The directorate’s roadmap is ambitious, aiming to address the systemic issues that have long plagued Nigeria’s cargo industry. Central to this is the recognition that MMIA handles over 90% of the nation’s air cargo, making its transformation paramount.
The Three Pillars of Reform:
The initiative rests on three core principles: efficiency, security, and compliance. To achieve these, the directorate has embarked on a multi-pronged strategy:
Registration and Biometric Capture:
A comprehensive registration process is underway, documenting all stakeholders, from customs brokers to airline staff and ground handlers.
This is followed by biometric capture, ensuring only authorized personnel have access to the cargo area. “If you don’t have anything to do with cargo, you cannot access this place,” an official of FAAN emphasized. “You must show evidence that you have to come and pick cargo.”
Enhanced Infrastructure and Support Services: The airport authority is committed to developing cargo support services, including temporary holding warehouses, common examination bays, sorting areas, and packaging facilities.
This infrastructure will minimize human interface and streamline the cargo process. “Before the cargo goes into the warehouse, the cargo is already fit to fly,” explained FAAN, signifying a shift away from the current chaotic sorting and examination practices within warehouse spaces.
Stakeholder Engagement:
Recognizing the importance of collaboration, the directorate has engaged extensively with ground handlers, government agencies, and customs officials.
These engagements are crucial for fostering understanding and cooperation, particularly as many warehouses are customs-bonded.
Clearing the Clutter, Building the Future:
A key aspect of the transformation involves clearing unauthorized structures and activities from the terminal.
The sealed-off area near SAHCO and opposite the NDLEA office previously occupied by makeshift shops selling everything from yams to phone accessories, betting shops called ‘Baba Ijebu’ will be repurposed for proper cargo facilities.
“In any cargo terminal all over the world you don’t have that kind of a thing. We are trying to clear that place up so that we can bring in proper cargo facilities in that environment there”, FAAN official stated.
These facilities will include state-of-the-art screening equipment, ensuring efficient and secure cargo processing. “Screening will still be done there, so we deploy a state of the art facility so that, our cargo can pass through for screening.”
Addressing Security Concerns:
The initiative has garnered support from key security agencies, including the DSS and the police. “This initiative is a federal government initiative. We have had an engagement with the director of DSS in this terminal, the police commissioner, and everybody is in line with this program”, affirmed a stakeholder.
Access control will be tightened through biometric checks and automated gates, minimizing human interface and enhancing security.
“Machines will be deployed so much of the human interface is going to be reduced from the level of the security agencies there at the pilgrims gate,” the cargo directorate explained.
Government Cargo Terminal and Access Gate Management:
The federal government-owned cargo terminal is slated for a joint venture with the private sector, aiming to bring the facility into full operation. The closed access gate will remain shut until the sanitization process is complete, addressing safety concerns related to traffic congestion.
Timeline and Expectations:
The registration process is ongoing and scheduled to conclude by the end of March. Verification and biometric capture will follow, with the goal of fully automating the gates by June.
While acknowledging the potential for “pushback” due to the long-standing nature of the existing system, the directorate remains determined to press forward. “We expect a lot of pushback but by the special grace of God we are moving with the great speed as it desires,” says FAAN.
The transformation of MMIA’s cargo and Hajj terminals represents a significant step towards enhancing Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure and boosting its economic potential.
The success of this initiative will not only streamline cargo operations but also improve the nation’s reputation as a reliable and secure trading partner.