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FAAN PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR NEW SAHCOL MANAGEMENT

11^th January 2010

 

 

 

 

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports of Nigeria (FAAN) Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun has promised to give full support to the new management of Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCOL), a member of SIFAX Group which recently took over the ownership and operation of the defunct Skypower Aviation Handling Company limited.

 

Mr. Aisuebeogun also advised the new management to focus on safety procedure in its operations to make it compete favourably with other international handling companies.

 

The FAAN boss made those remarks on Monday in Lagos when the new management team of SAHCOL paid him a courtesy visit in his office. He noted that the new SAHCOL was a private sector establishment that had considerable financial muscle that would enable it compete favourably in the aviation handling business.

 

The managing director, however, observed that competition should bring high quality service delivery with best practice and profitable business. He said that FAAN was concerned about some unwholesome practices on the ramp, and called for more training for airside drivers and other operational staff of the handling companies. He also advised that the new company should follow safety procedure in its operations to ensure that the ramp and apron in particular are safe and environmentally friendly at all times.

 

While assuring the new management of SAHCOL of FAAN's full cooperation, Mr. Aisuebeogun urged the new company to pay the outstanding debt owed the Authority on the  5percent concession fee and regular outstanding bills as at when due, adding that the Authority would not allow the accumulation of debt by the company under a private management.

 

He explained that FAAN could only allow one month credit to the new company which is the same condition that applies to all customers of the Authority including airlines and concessionaires; while the Authority would continue to liaise with BPE to reconcile the outstanding debts owed FAAN by SAHCOL before the new management took over.

 

Mr. Aisuebeogun had earlier commended SAHCOL for its role in ensuring successful ground handling of Hajj operations in 2009.

 

Reacting, the SAHCOL Managing Director, Mr. Chike Ogeah, disclosed that money being owed FAAN was captured in the whole process of privatisation of SAHCOL and assured that the Authority would be paid as soon as possible.

 

On SAHCOL team were the Deputy Managing Director, Captain Lue Deroyuer, head of Corporate Development Adigun Olawiyi, the Finance Director Mr. Owope and Credit Control Manager, Mrs. Madukwe Chinwe

 

Akin Olukunle

GM/PA