Cargo operators under the umbrella of Domestic Airport Cargo Agents Association (DACAA) has said that security at the Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) cargo shed is leaky due to uncoordinated activities that go on there.
Chairman of the association, Mr. Monday Subair stated this during an interactive session with the executive of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents who paid him a courtesy visit recently.
He said as one of the important clients of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) which operate MMA2, efforts to relate with them on how the security of cargo could be improved at the terminal had yielded little or no result.
Subair stated that although the terminal has machines to screen all the cargoes, security has gone beyond screening equipment.
“Yes, the terminal operator has screening machines to screen cargoes that go in there, but a lot still need to be done to enhance security at the terminal. MMA2 management has refused to recognise us despite the volume of businesses we bring to them daily. There is a need to improve security at the cargo shed. It is porous.
“We have found it difficult to get records of our members that go into MMA2 cargo shed. We have approached them several times, held meetings with them for us to have access to the volume of cargoes by our members, but we are yet to receive a response from them. I foresee some challenges at the cargo shed soon because it is not well-coordinated as it is,” he said.
He therefore called on the terminal’s management to enhance security in and around the shed, warning that non-restriction of access to that part of the airport could be dangerous.
He expressed worry that the cargo shed had become “an all-comer affair” and called on the management to change its approach by working more harmoniously with DACAA to further monitor and if possible, regulate activities at the cargo shed.
DACAA, in a letter dated January 19, 2021 by Subair, addressed to BASL stated that the association’s members had agreed to contribute N2 per kilogramme for every consignment as individual contribution to the association.
However, Subair regretted that BASL’s non-cooperative stance hindered DACCA from keeping proper records of direct cargoes going into the terminal.
“In our September general meeting, it was unanimously agreed by over 200 members in attendance that each member should contribute N2 per kilogramme for every consignment as individual contribution towards the smooth running of the association as well as the welfare of our members
“It was agreed in the association’s various meetings with the general sales agents (GSAs) as to their cooperation in this regard and we make bold to say their cooperation has been encouraging. Hence, we are officially writing you this letter as a notice and your approval would be our gracious expectations,” the letter read in part.
