Skyway Aviation investors approve 16.5k dividend

Shareholders of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCOL) on Tuesday approved a total dividend of N223.34 million for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2019.

The shareholders unanimously gave the approval at the company’s 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) by proxy held in Lagos.

The dividend translated to 16.50k per share.

Speaking at the meeting, the company’s Chairman, Dr Taiwo Afolabi, assured the shareholders of enhanced return on their investment in the current financial year.

Afolabi said the company had embarked on the development of business models geared toward ushering in efficient and speedy service delivery.

He stated that the business model would change the financial status of the company by the year-end.

“In the last one year, we have made a massive investment in our capacity to serve our clients through the acquisition of modern equipment, provision of new facilities, capacity development for staff and board members,” he said.

Afolabi added that the company had diversified to a new complementary business with growth potential.

He noted that the company had embarked on an aggressive marketing drive, both local and internationally, to shore up the client base and revenue.

Commenting on the company’s financials, the chairman said the performance was not only encouraging, but also a pointer to a future that is bright.

“Compared to the previous financial year of 2018 when it recorded a huge loss of N696.99 million, SAHCO made a net profit of N446.53 million in 2019.

“The twin factors of cost reduction and new business helped to achieve this feat” he said.

He explained that the company’s revenue grew by 24.93 per cent when compared with 2018 figure.

Also speaking, Managing Director of the company , Mr Basil Agboarumi said it expanded the export warehouse to accommodate the influx of export to provide ease of cargo handling services due to growing demand for export in Nigeria.

“Over the years, SAHCO has seen the need to innovate and build aviation ground support equipment which birthed the production of the first-ever Fuel Bowser that was produced at the maintenance workshop of the SAHCO’s department,” he said.

Agboarumi said the management intend to reposition SAHCO as the best Ground Handling Company in West Africa by acquiring more client airlines using the leverage of being the preferred handling partner of British Airways and other global carriers already in the company’s fold.