A Nigerian leading, globally recognized courier/cargo firm, ABX WORLD (NIGERIA), is increasingly making its mark in the world stage with the company’s developing role in agro-allied products exports and markets across Europe.
In its latest drive, ABX WORLD, an EU certified (EUC) cargo agent, has signed agreement with Arik Air and Skyway Aviation Grand Handling Company (SAHCOL) as cargo airline and process handling company, respectively.
Both Arik Air and SAHCOL are also EU certified with ACC3 and RA3 certifications respectively; such an evidence of the acceptability of EU Governments to rely on the due compliance of ABX WORLD and the partners to help ensure that all laws are abided.
EUC compliance assessment is defined as a “demonstration that specified requirements relating to a product, process, system, person or body are fulfilled.”
There are many of these compliance assessment activities applied in today’s world including accreditation, certification, inspection, registration, supplier’s declaration, and testing, and the trio recently demonstrated their competencies to EU teams.
Relying on a thriving partnership, ABX WORLD, fully backed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as an “Authorized Cargo Agent”, is set for an unrivaled speedy export of agro-allied produces, especially perishable items such as vegetables and fruits.
Obviously, 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 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.
According to the founder and Chief Executive Officer of ABX WORLD, Captain John T Okakpu, Nigeria has immense agricultural potential, even as only 40% of her 84 million hectares of arable land cultivated, plus 263 billion cubic meters of water – (having two of the largest rivers in Africa).
In addition, Nigeria has the required manpower to support agricultural expansion. With an estimated 80 million farmers, Nigeria can cultivate enough food for its people and feed the world too, Captain Okakpu said optimistically.
He added that, ABX World believes tapping into the sector can only be sustainable when the private sector expertise is allowed to thrive
He said, “There is a need to engage the private sector, investors, local banks and International Financial Institutions with the view of connecting (Supply chain) the vast investment opportunities of Nigeria Agriculture with local and international investors. Putting together all sectors in Nigeria especially Agriculture will surpass the $128.00 per barrel of crude oil needed to balance the budget. That is where most Nigerians and world misunderstood General Muhammad Buhari (GMB), the newly President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria when he was credited for saying the he will stabilize the prize of crude oil.
“Yes, there are more to it: Agriculture is not just farming but involves the supply chain management as a critical sub-sector”.
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 including two Airbus A340-500 making the airline the first operator of the wide bodied aircraft in Africa
According to the ABX WORLD CEO, when Arik Air commenced its cargo operation in 2011, it actually strengthened the intercontinental cargo operations by adding Johannesburg, South Africa to the already running import activities from London Heathrow and New York JFK
This means that Arik Air’s guests now have an unprecedented freighting opportunities and possibilities.
The airline operates the wide body Airbus A330-200 on the Lagos-Johannesburg route and this aircraft has a large cargo compartment.
Similarly, SAHCOL as the process handling company with state-of-the-art facilities “serves as a major gateway to import and export in the Nigerian Aviation Sector, ensuring that cargo, courier and mails are properly handled, managed and warehoused in its custom bonded warehouse, pending the due process of clearing”.
SAHCOL provides bonded import, courier and export warehousing services mainly in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Abuja, which are central to the agro-allied process and export business.
Speaking further on the expected impact of the new trend, he said the whole of agro-allied business ABX Worlds mulls can even generate over 20million jobs for the teeming youths in the country in the areas of farming, harvesting, packaging, branding, and other exports gamut.
“The challenges we have as a nation, of course, present opportunities that could be tapped into for value addition and profitability. How can these be communicated to the agile youth-farmers, logistics companies, investors, and foreigners who have interest in Nigeria’s agro-produce? That is the basis for ABX World’s interest to educate the youths that all of us cannot live in the city. You can make impact, create wealth and live a fulfilled life while residing in the rural areas” and home towns.
Also, ABX World ability to have adequate quantities of commodities will ensure very competitive prices, availability of supplies and of course acceptable quality levels required by the multinationals.
Meanwhile, BOOSH PRODUCE of UK is one of the agro supply chain in Europe already working with ABX WORLD.
As part of preparations for the commencement of the program, ABX World had engaged competent and IATA certified consultants for refresher courses for the staff; which has been applauded by Arik Air and SAHCOL managements.
ABX NIGERIA is a first class globally recognized courier/cargo firm incorporated in 1998 with 55% foreign equity investment; incorporated in Nigeria as Airborne Express Nigeria Limited and was the sole licensee of the Airborne Freight Corporation from 1998.
The global network that we operate at ABX WORLD is very richly enhanced by our strategic alliances with some of the biggest and best players in the industry as follows; World Freight Alliance (WFA) www.wfalliance.com; Pilot Air Freight based in USA (www.pilotair.com); African Transport Logistic Alliance (ATLA) www.atlalliance.com and LHR Global Logistics in UK (www.lhrglobal.com). Operating from this background, we are able to pick up your shipments from more than 500 of our international offices spread across the world. We clear your shipments from the air or seaports and deliver on a door to door basis, thereby freeing you from the troubles and challenges in engagement with customs. ABX WORLD is properly positioned and thoroughly enhanced to provide edge cutting service at record speed to all our local and international clientele.
Picture: The trio- ABX WORLD, SAHCOL and Arik Air Partner for agro-allied exports.