The Council met with the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, to seek the state’s support for the realization of the IDP project at Isiala Ngwa. The purpose of the meeting was to push for a faster and more effective delivery of this much-needed and innovative project, which will directly impact the economy of Abia State, the South Eastern region and indeed the nation as a whole.
The high-powered delegation from the Council led by the Director Inland Transport Services, Mrs Ify Okolue, had on the entourage, the MD/CEO Eastgate Container Terminal, Bill Nkedirim, Chairman Eastgate Terminal Limited & former MD, Shippers’ Council, Kinglsey Usoh, Member, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Increase Uche, Deputy Director Public Private Partnership, (PPP) NSC, Isa Audu, among others.
Addressing the Executive Governor of Abia State, the representative of the Executive Secretary of the Council, Mrs Ify Okolue, emphasized the importance of the tripartite efforts of the Federal and State Governments as well as the private investors in the actualization of the project. She went on to explain the advantages of having the dry port situated at Isiala Ngwa noting that it was strategically located to serve as a catalyst for supporting neighbouring states of Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Rivers and Bayelsa States, thereby enhancing the overall maritime infrastructure in the South East region.
The Dry Port, she said, is expected to assist in decongesting the seaport, bring shipping services to the door steps of shippers and assist in the overall reduction of cost of transporting cargoes to the hinterland and landlocked countries.
Responding to the ES, the Executive Governor of the state Dr. Alex Otti, affirmed the State’s commitment to the actualization of the project. He however requested that the details of the initial project proposal be reviewed with a technical committee he will constitute, in order to avoid false starts and design workable plans for the swift realization of this project.
Honourable Ginger Onwusibe, the Honourable Member representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency led the delegation to the Governor’s house.
The technical committee responsible is expected to be made up of the following: Facilitators- Shippers’ Council, Concessionaire- Eastgate Terminal Limited, Nigerian Railway, State Transport Commissioners and members of the Government House, among others.
When actualized, the Ntigha Inland Dry Port, Isiala Ngwa will enhance revenue generation, improve the IGR of Abia State, and generate employment opportunities thereby reducing crime and insecurity in the South East.
