NAHCO boss makes case for exemption on duties for handling equipment

The Managing Director, Nigeria Aviation Handling Company, NAHCOaviance, Mrs Tokunbo Fagbemi has called on the Federal Government to accede to their request for tax exemption on duties for handling equipment.

This is just as she disclosed that the company received N70 million from the N4billion bailout of the Federal Government to cushion the effects of the pandemic on aviation business in the country.

In an interview with the newsmen in Lagos, Mr Fagbemi says, if waivers were given on aircraft spare parts, ground support equipment should also enjoy the same from the government.

She added that during the pandemic as an Association of Ground Handlers of Nigeria applied for tax exemptions on equipment similar to what is given to aircraft.

“Because at the end of the day, these are ground support equipment, support and handle the aircraft, so if the aircraft is given zero duty why should we also not enjoy that kind of rebate, we will be happy if that is given”.

The NAHCOaviance boss says, they would be happy if the government can give more palliatives in the form of zero per cent loans and other windows to help them to continue to support the airlines.

“We are also looking at our tax, if there are some form tax exemptions, we have taken some opportunities where FIRS say pay before a certain time, some we have not to be able to because we are actually being reviewed and audited, all the yearly audits so, we have to be able to take a position on those that we have but we will like more particularly because of the peculiarity of this business that we are in, so its high cost in terms of equipment, the equipment does not have the same value like an aircraft has and there is a limited number of years that you can flog it for and then you still pay all these duties and charges, so if we even have exemptions on duties, it will go a long way to help us to be able to do that”.

On the FG bailout, while commending the Federal Government for the N70million given to NAHCO from the N4billion for the aviation industry, Mrs Fagbemi said, they look forward to more palliatives which may not be in the form of money for the ground handling companies.

According to her, they had lost so much and having something was better than having nothing, adding they would continue to do everything, work with the business environment to ensure that the organization optimise its revenue in whatever form to serve their clients better and be rest assured that clients would be able to support them.