SAHCO: We are underpaid for the services we render

Basil Agboarumi, managing director of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), says his company is being underpaid for the services they render.

Speaking during a tour of their facilities with the media, Agboarumi said the company did not increase its rates despite the 2016 recession and inflation rising to double-digit.

“We are underpaid for the services that we render as a ground handling company. For a very long time, handling business in Nigeria has been static despite the inflation in the country over the years,” he said.

“We have huge facilities that we need to service and maintain regularly and we still have other running costs that we have to handle. The ground handling companies need to survive. Our charges are not commensurate with our services.”

The company has launched an initial public offering (IPO) to divest 49% of its equity in line with the contract signed with the Bureau of Public Entreprises (BPE).

According to the management, 10% of the shares will be divested to the staff of the company. The company also says that it is hoping to raise N406 million from the IPO.

SAHCO was formerly known as Skypower Aviation Handling Company Limited before it was privatized in December, 2009 as part of the federal government’s enterprise reform agenda aimed at managing the privatized companies for efficiency and enhanced profitability.