By Amaka Ifeakandu, Lagos
The Managing Director, Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc, Mr Basil Agboarumi, has urged the Federal Government to grant duty waiver on operational equipment for ground handling companies operating in the nation’s airports.
Agboarumi made this call in Lagos while interacting with members of Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN).
He noted that the waiver would go a long way in ameliorating the harsh economic conditions companies in the aviation industry are facing.
Agboarumi said what the company pays to clear its equipment at the port is humongous, adding that the equipment are only used when an aircraft comes in.
He said: “We felt that no matter what the government is doing for the airlines, ground handling should be included to benefit from it too.
“We believe that what should be done is that the same kind of waivers that the airlines are enjoying should also be extended to us to make life easier for us.
“The authorities should encourage us the same way they are doing for airline operators, we are in the same industry and without us, the airlines cannot go into the sky.
“Government gives waiver to the airlines on spare parts and other things, we want them to give the same thing to us for our equipment. With waivers on clearing spare parts, it will do a lot for us”.
He lamented that the company provides its own infrastructure to stay in business.
“We have generators that supply our electricity and we have cold room for pharmaceutical products. We have to be on power for 24 hours,” he said.
