Our LAM 35 High Loader best in Nigeria, loads 40 tonnes of Cargo—–Basil Agboarumi, SAHCO CEO

Sketches of information clearly indicated that Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc, SAHCO, currently leads in aviation ground handling. The curiosity led OpenLife, the pan African news magazine, to the door post of SAHCO, for first hand information about the company and its driver. Basil Agboarumi, the Chief Executive Officer, was available and he did reveal much as you would find in this exclusive interview

From sketches of information, SAHCO strives to be the preferred ground handling company in West Africa. To what extent have you pursued this noble objective?

Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC is all about safe, speedy and efficient aviation ground handling services. We make a lot of investments in training and retraining our professional and dedicated staff. We have a strong customer relationship and bond which has helped us to be the preferred service provider in Nigeria, we see our customers as partners and not clients.

Also, our fleet of ground support equipment are fitted with the latest technology. We have invested in equipment like the LAM 35 High Loader which has the capacity to load up to 40 tonnes of Cargo and this is the first in the Nigerian Ground Handling industry.

Our Custom bonded warehouse is also the best in West Africa and one of the best in Africa.

The pandemic somewhat took individuals and corporate entities unaware, resulting to an extent, reduction in operational activities and staff downsizing. What is the situation with SAHCO?

The aviation industry has been the worst hit in the COVID-19 pandemic because airports were closed all over the world. As an Aviation Ground Handling organization, we incurred a loss that was not less than N1.9 billion  between March and June and we are still losing revenue because we are not fully operational.

Despite the closure of airports, our operational cost increased because we had to ensure that the temperature sensitive cargo in our custody were well preserved by generating 24 hour power supply. We are also incurring additional cost ensuring that the staff that have to attend to essential duties are properly kitted with Personal Protective Equipment and all the necessary materials required to adhere to the WHO and PTF Protocols.

In addition we have to pay salaries of all staff despite the massive reduction in operational activities. To the glory of God, we have not downsized.

What is your competitive edge in the industry?

As we have earlier stated, our investment in a well-trained and dedicated workforce cannot be over emphasized. This is because we have well motivated staff who are professional in discharging their duties.

Also we invest in modern equipment so as to make our service delivery, safe, speedy and efficient.

Furthermore we treat our clients as our partners and enjoy a good working relationship with them.

 In your assessment of the general aviation business in relationship to government policies, what are those areas to be addressed through legislation for optimized business operations?

Ground Handling Companies are affected by government policies, we are dependent on the availability of Forex because ground support equipment are produced abroad and these can only be purchased with foreign currency. Also our certifications have to be paid for in foreign currencies, you cannot handle shipment-cargo to and from Europe if you are not RA3 certified and this has to be renewed periodically and so does the ISAGO certification which shows that we operate according to the safety regulations for Aviation Ground Handling Operators.

In addition, the government should give us waivers on importation of equipment just like they do for Airlines, the Ground Handling Company are already buckling under the weight of having to import so such equipment and their  spare parts that will be used for wear and tear that tax waivers will cushion the burden a bit.

The Government should improve on the efficiency of Airport facilities that we have right now. Most of the time we have to replace some of the decrepit ones because ground operators have to adhere to global standard practice and this cannot be done effectively with some of these facilities.

 What are SAHCO’s business projections in the next five years?

We have our eyes on expansion, we are looking at some new businesses that we can put money into and diversify our businesses in the aviation sector.

We would also want to have more clients than we have now and be the best in Aviation Ground Handling in Africa.

In addition, we would continue to invest in ground support equipment and empower our Engineering and Maintenance team to build more.