Enugu airport: Install explosives detector, NCCIMA tells FG

The Director General of Nsukka Chamber of Commerce Industry , Mines and Agriculture , Dr Daniel Ochi , has appealed to the Federal Ministry of Aviation to install an Explosives Detector Machine at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport , Enugu to engender export of local products through the airport .

Ochi who made the appeal on Tuesday in an interview with some journalists in Enugu, disclosed that his chamber had an order to supply 100 tonnes of ‘ yellow habanero ’ otherwise known as Nsukka yellow pepper and ocimum gratissimum popularly known as scent leaf to the United States of America every month for five years , but regretted that they wouldn ’ t export through the airport without the EDM.

He explained that a condition precedent required by their off- takers and buyers before the products could be exported to the US or European countries was that the products must be subjected to EDM .

According Ochi , “ Nsukka Chamber of Commerce is promoting exports of made -in – Nigeria products . As we speak , we have order to supply 100 tonnes of Nsukka yellow pepper to United States on a monthly basis for the next five years .

“ We also have an order to supply scent leaf ( nchanwu) . Our off – takers and buyers require that before these products are accepted in any of the EU countries , we make sure we subject the package to an explosives dictating machine . ”
He added , “ Our plan is to export from Enugu airport but the airport doesn ’ t have the machine . It is only available in Lagos and Abuja.
“ If we move our consignment from Enugu to Lagos it will add to the cost of that product. By the time our products arrive the US , we might not be able to compete favourably because of our price ; so we are losing.“ That is why we make a plea to the Federal Ministry of Industry , Trade and Investment to help us talk to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria. ”

He disclosed that the investigation by the chamber showed that the machine would cost about N 47 m .

According to him , the chamber is also talking with the Enugu state government to help in relating the situation to the Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria