Ganduje Eyes Port of Origin and Destination…wants NSC to collaborate with FMOT to meet their aspiration on the Dry Port project
The Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje has called on Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMOT) to enable Dala Inland Port, commissioned in 2003 in the State, to immediately be declared Port of origin and destination.
Ganduje, who made the call during a courtesy visit to the Headquarters of NSC in Lagos, said the project when operational would bring shipping facilities to the hinterland, decongest the seaports, generate employment opportunities for citizens and as well accrue appreciable revenues to the government.
He said his government has so far committed N2.46billion to the project. The Dry port once completed, it would be getting 30 billion metric tonnes of cargoes from Lagos by rail.
Ganduje called on the Council to follow up with the Nigerian Railways Corporation for the rail extension into the inland ports and to also ensure cooperation and collaboration between the shipping lines and their agents with inland ports to allow seamless flow of both import and export cargoes.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Hassan Bello appreciated the Kano State Government for the visit and commitment of N2.46 billion on access roads to the terminal which is fifty percent completed. He described the Inland Dry Ports as one of the tools which Nigerian can use to harness the gain of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) and the need to receive it and utilize it.
According to Bello, the Lagos and Kano railway line would also boost the Inland Dry Port. He also said that the economy of the region is set for an explosion. He expressed hope that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) would approve the project promptly. Bello said NSC is ready to work towards the actualization of the project.
