The Managing Director/CEO, SAHCOL
[dropcap]S[/dropcap]kyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL), which is an excellent example of a very successful government privatization, is an Aviation Ground Handling company, offering services in Passenger Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling and Warehousing, Aviation security, Baggage Reconciliation, Crew Bus and Executive Lounge services and other related Ground Handling services; while ensuring that Ground Handling assignment is carried out in an efficient, speedy and safe manner, by deploying appropriate tools.
Nigerian Airways was one of the enterprise that was identified to be privatized, while others cuts across various sectors. Incidentally, SAHCOL was one of the subsidiaries of Nigeria Airways that was slated for privatization, and this was because of the realization that Ground Handling as an aviation services will be best-managed by private sector led initiative. In addition, the transaction method observed and chosen for the particular privatization of SAHCOL was full privatization, so as to heighten the level of services rendered, given the international benchmark. Since SAHCOL was chosen as one of the aviation companies for the privatisation programme, it has been one of the success stories of the programme; and the dynamics behind this success story could be replicated in other enterprises.
The Managing Director/CEO, SAHCOL, Mr. Rizwan Kadri has described the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited, (SAHCOL) as world-class. He made this remark in an exclusive interview with the executive members of Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network when they paid him a courtesy visit to the management of SAHCOL in Lagos.
Excerpts:
What are other additional achievements of SAHCOL that makes it unique among other Aviation Handling Companies?
Well, as a fully privatized entity, SAHCOL has been rendering the services that they were supposed to render and so can be regarded as a “good story” for the economic development of Nigeria.Since SAHCOL was handed over to the Sifax Group in December 2009, after its successful privatization by the Federal Government of Nigeria, it has invested in personnel development, purchase of modern equipment, infrastructural development and good customer services, which has helped reposition the company to meet the expectations and needs of its growing list of clientele.We are the gateway to everything that comes in and goes out of the country.We operate at the airports as well as the seaports.We are always available to render services at the export level as we ensure through our services to help farmers at the grassroots level export their agricultural products;get foreign currencies into the country thereby boosting the Nigerian economy.As a result of full privatisation method, SAHCOL having acquired world class facilities ensures quality and efficient service delivery devoid of government interference.
What can you say about cargo handling and passengers facilitation?
Facilitation go side by side with cargo handling depending on which side you want to focus and depending on the type of facilities that is provided by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) and what we’ve been able to do to compliment government as one of the handling agents in the country.In terms of cargo handling. You must have gone round to see what we’ve been doing. We have completed our multi-million Naira bonded warehouse project which is the best, not only in West Africa, but also in the whole of AFRICA in terms of facilities being provided.On passengers facilitation.you know ours is to load and offload. If the conveyor belts are not working or are not good, passengers do not want to know whether or not its our responsibility. So,we have to go extra length by doubling our staff on shift to meet the challenge. We pay overtime allowances to our staff for working extra hours to be able to meet passengers expectations.
What are the rules and procedured guiding Cargo Freighting?
The rules and procedures are applicable internationally and we should respect and operate as stipulated. The freighters arrive with their fuselage load of cargo. You offload to the cargo warehouse, palletize and de-palletize and stack them on to the racks for Customs examination.In fact, the new warehouse has taken cognizance of this procedures, so that cargo operations are no longer in a mess since the warehouse began operations.It has taken care of passengers’ and customs needs and those of the airlines in terms of their pallets and for passengers as regards their baggage. Then Customs, in terms of facilities to be provided to allow them function well. All these are now being provided by us (SAHCOL).
What makes SAHCOL a world -class Aviation Handling Company?
We have the best ground handling equipment so far in the country. We are however not satisfied yet, because the more we improve and expand on our service delivery, the more we will need to acquire additional equipment to meet up with the demand of our clients. The type of equipment we use, are not the type you buy and keep. The more the need arises, the more equipment we add.
What is the SAHCOL’s relationship with other sister organisations operating at the ports as well as your staff?
Industrial harmony has been paramount in the mind of the Chairman, Mr Taiwo Afolabi, the Board and Management of SAHCOL. It has been very cordial. We have been working together to ensure we succeed. It has been very harmonious. I will not also forget to appreciate the staff of SAHCOL for their cooperation because without team work, it is hard to achieve positive changes.The staff have been wonderful in making SAHCOL a success story. The management and board of the company have ensured that they are well remunerated and their welfare taken care of including training and re-training so as to improve on their skill and proficiency. Our staff will continue to smile and smile as we improve on our services.
Sir, how do SAHCOL screen the exports and imports of goods ?
The provision of security gadgets to deter and detects dangerous ‘terrorists’ tools such as guns, bombs and other explosive materials is that of the governments. On our part, we assist the government in the provision of X-ray machines, for the screening of exports and imports. It is therefore the job of of the Customs to screen all in-bound and outbound goods. Ours is to accept the goods already screened by the Customs after they must have carried out 100 per cent checks of all imports. That is why we have de-palletization of all imports. You don’t just carry goods from the tarmac and hand it over straight to the owner or clearing agent[s]. It undergoes a lot of procedures.
SAHCOL has in recent times received several awards including the most recent by Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network, what does this say of the company?
It means progress, sincerity of purpose in our dealings with our clients and more awareness. When things are happening like this, it tells you that you must be more serious to tackle more challenges to come. The expectations from people become more demanding than before. So, you have to work more hard than before. However if you relax after receiving such accolade, you end up not being a successful outfit. You must continue and improve on the good service you are rendering to your clients.