A leading courier/cargo firm, ABX World, which is also a European Union certified (EUC) cargo agent, has signed an agreement with Arik Air and Skyway Aviation Grand Handling Company (SAHCOL) as cargo airline and process handling company for their export business.
Speaking on the agreement, John Okakpu, Chief Executive Officer of the company, said Nigeria has immense agricultural potential, adding that only 40 percent of her 84 million hectares of arable land, were cultivated.
He said the company, having secure the certification of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as an “Authorised Cargo Agent”, is set for an unrivalled speedy export of agro-allied produces, especially perishable items such as vegetables and fruits.
“The stability and sustainability of the world economy have been and still depend on agriculture, because agriculture is the major source of survival for man, animals and the industrial sectors through the provision of food and raw materials according to Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) in 2000.
“In other words, agriculture is taking back as the leading contributor to the economy; hence oil & gas sector is seriously in shambles”, he said.
Okakpu said Nigeria has the required manpower to support agricultural expansion affirming that with an estimated 80 million farmers, Nigeria can cultivate enough food for its people and feed the world.
He added that, ABX World believes that tapping into the sector can only be sustainable when the private sector expertise is allowed to thrive
On the choice of Arik Air as cargo airline partner, he said that as Nigeria’s leading commercial airline, the airline was the first to operate a fleet of 26 state-of-the arts regional, medium haul and long haul aircraft.
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