By ITOHAN ABARA-LASERIAN

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and cargo agents operating at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMIA) have reached an agreement of ?15 per kilogramme (kg) as cargo charges.

The authority announced the agreement in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Henry Agbebire on Tuesday in Lagos.

The agreement was finalised during a crucial stakeholders’ meeting, presided over by the Director of Cargo Development and Services, Mr Lekan Thomas on Monday.

According to the statement, following extensive and constructive discussions, both parties have settled on a new airport charge of ?15 per kg of cargo.

This, FAAN said represents a significant compromise, from the initially proposed ?20 per kg and the existing ?7 per kg charge.

FAAN expressed optimism that this resolution, achieved through dialogue and a spirit of partnership, would foster a more collaborative and responsible approach to cargo operations at the airport.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agents had earlier protested the increased tariff by the authority and grounded cargo activities at the airport.

NAN also reports that the agents had decried the approach of FAAN by increasing the charges without proper stakeholders engagememt and called for dialogue to reach a compromise.

The associations that appealed for a dialogue included the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF).

Others are the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwards and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) and the National Association of Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC). (NAN)