LAGOS – Lack of goods integrity and the failure of exporters to adopt best practice in all aspects of cargo care, through the intermodal supply chain are some of the reasons Nigerian cargo are rejected outside the country.
Various speakers in aviation, cargo business and insurance at the fourth CHINET Aviacargo Conference with the theme: ‘e-Commerce and the Future of Air Cargo in Africa: The Building Blocks,’ held in Lagos on Thursday, said that Nigeria was not ready and willing to play in the air cargo space.
Some regretted that while the country holds the raw materials, it however jettisoned the air and water spaces to foreign companies, thereby allowing them to dictate the market.
Mrs. Nkechi Onyenso, Managing Director, Pathfinders International Limited, in her presentation: ‘Steps To Guarantee Integrity Of Cargo In Nigeria,’ said that cargo integrity goes beyond simply making sure everything was delivered safely, on time and undamaged.
Onyenso pointed out that cargo integrity was all about ensuring the supply chain remained untainted, while all business was conducted in a transparent and honest manner.
According to her, lack of proper packaging, documentation, incident reporting and secure transportation are some of the factors militating cargo export from Nigeria.
She emphasised that packaging for instance, plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of cargo in Nigeria’s logistics and supply chain industry.
Onyenso explained that proper packaging protects against physical damage, prevents contamination, reduces theft and tampering, facilitates easy handling, ensures compliance with regulations, ensures proper documentation, mitigates environmental risks and builds trust and confidence in cargo.
The Pathfinder International Limited boss, emphasised that by maintaining proper documentation, stakeholders could ensure the integrity of cargo throughout the supply chain, promote trust, efficiency, security and safety in the system.
She added: “By implementing effective incident reporting mechanisms, Nigeria’s cargo industry can identify and address vulnerabilities, improving the integrity and security of cargo throughout the supply chain.
“By implementing secure transportation practices, Nigeria’s cargo industry can ensure the integrity of goods during transit, building trust and confidence among stakeholders.”
She added that in order to guarantee integrity of goods in Nigeria, there was the need for a clear and well understood policy framework, transparent procedures, a high level of professionalism, an effective internal audit and a good security company.
She declared that cargo integrity was not just a matter of compliance, but a strategic imperative that could protect businesses from financial losses, reputational damage, and legal liabilities.
She added: “By prioritising security measures and staying vigilant, the Nigerian cargo industry can contribute to a more secure and reliable supply chain, marking their position as trusted partners in the global logistics ecosystem.
“The road to effective cargo integrity is a continuous journey, requiring dedication, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence. By embracing best practices and staying ahead of emerging threats, the Nigerian cargo industry can navigate the complexities of international trade with confidence, ensuring the safe and secure movement of goods across borders.”
Also, Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, the Commissioner for National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), debunked the insinuations that insurance companies in Nigeria lacked capacity to successfully insure aviation business, especially aircraft acquisition.
He also said the resort to re-insurance was in line with global best practices, where all underwriters had existing treaties with re-insurance companies.
Omosehin, further reiterated that the insurance companies in the country had the capacity to insure all aspects of aviation industry, including airlines, cargo, catering and others.
According to him, there were no fewer than 29 aviation underwriters in Nigeria regulated by NAICOM in compliance with the regulations of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
He assured operators not to panic, that their risks were being insured in Nigeria.
He said: “We ensure the stipulated standards are met. Every year, by January, we review the reinsurance treaties of every underwriter in this market to be sure it meets with global standards, and it is on that basis that we approve their treaties and they are then allowed to operate.
“The reality of aviation insurance is that it is a global business, like risks emanating from one country, criss-crossing its borders, and many of them oftentimes end up in Lloyd’s of London, and this is not peculiar with Nigeria. Other countries, even risks emanating from the US, would end up in Lloyd because they have great appetite for aviation risks, and that is why they are re-insurance.”
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