NAHCO Breaks New Ground: Federal Government Approves Handling of Radioactive Materials

NCAA, NNRA Greenlight Marks Milestone in Nigeria’s Aviation Industry

In a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s aviation sector, the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO Aviance) has secured approval from the Federal Government to handle shipments containing radioactive materials at its airport facilities. This historic authorization, jointly issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), marks the first time a ground handling service provider in the country has been permitted to manage such sensitive cargo.

The approval was formalized in a communique released on February 25, 2005, following a high-level meeting in Abuja between both regulatory agencies. The document, signed by the Assistant General Manager (Legal) of NNRA, Mr. Jamil Salau, on behalf of the Director-General/CEO of NNRA, Dr. Yau Usman Idris, instructed all importers and exporters affected by the previous embargo on radioactive shipments to now liaise with NAHCO for their import and export needs.

A Long-Awaited Resolution for Industry Stakeholders

The decision to approve NAHCO’s role in handling radioactive shipments was a key outcome of a broader discussion between the NCAA and NNRA on implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on September 1, 2023. Other significant resolutions from the meeting included:

• Adoption of NNRA’s implementation plan as a working document.
• Formation of a technical working group to oversee MoU execution within 14 working days.
• Development of a joint action plan with clear timelines.
• Commencement of a joint training program as outlined in the MoU.
• Scheduling of Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) drills.
• Regular review meetings to track progress and address emerging issues.
• Harmonization of licensing validity and duration.
• Streamlining information-sharing processes between the NCAA and NNRA.
• NNRA’s support in validating Nigeria’s State Variation Report to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

NAHCO’s Commitment to Excellence

Speaking on this milestone, Prince Saheed Lasisi, Group Executive Director, Commercial and Business Development, NAHCO Plc, lauded the approval as a breakthrough for importers and exporters who had faced significant challenges due to the previous restrictions on radioactive shipments.

“NAHCO is solving these logistical hurdles for our clients, particularly international airlines and oil and gas companies (IOCs) that require seamless movement of critical shipments with radioactive components in and out of Nigeria,” Lasisi remarked.

Similarly, NAHCO’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Olumuyiwa Olumekun, expressed gratitude to the NCAA and NNRA for their confidence in the company’s capabilities. He reaffirmed NAHCO’s readiness to uphold stringent compliance standards, ensuring that all radioactive handling processes meet global safety regulations.

“We have instituted clear, diligent, and thorough procedures, executed by highly trained professionals, to guarantee 100% compliance with all regulatory guidelines,” Olumekun emphasized.

A New Era for Aviation and Specialized Cargo Handling

This approval positions NAHCO as a pioneering force in Nigeria’s aviation industry, reinforcing the country’s capacity to handle specialized cargo safely and efficiently. As the company embarks on this new chapter, stakeholders anticipate that this development will further enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in global aviation logistics while ensuring the highest safety standards in radioactive material handling.