By; Alex Uangbaoje, Kaduna.
Minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has lauded the Nigerian Shippers’ Council ( NSC) for promoting Dry Port and Truck Transit Park (TTP) in Kaduna State and across the country.
Speaking today in Kaduna at the collaborative seminar organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and Inland Container Nigeria Limited ( ICNL), Amaechi said the project will provide stimulus to the economy of the State and the country at large.
The seminar was entitled, “The Emergence of Inland Dry Port in Promoting International Trade and Enhancing Hinterland Shipping”.
The Minister said the Dry Port and TTP projects were conceived as part of solution to the problem of hinterland shippers’ inadequate access to seaports and frequent congestion.
He added that frequent congestion at seaports had led to loss, carnage, and accidents of cargo in transit on land mode.
“It is pertinent to note that for this and similar projects to succeed, there must be an administrative as well as operational collaboration with the stakeholders.
“I am happy to observe that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is already collaborating with Nigerian Railway Corporation, Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Customs Service to ensure that it succeeds” Amaechi added.
Earlier in his speech, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NSC, Hassan Bello commended the Kaduna State Government for its active role in the successful upgrading and gazetting of the bonded terminal to Inland Dry Port with full status of Port of Origin and final destination.
“This laudable achievement came within one year of the current administration and we have confidence that all efforts would be made to support the Federal Government in actualising the benefits of the project to the business community in the State and it’s environ.
“We complement the effort of the State Government for providing the infrastructure in the Port, the dual carriage road, electricity, water and also providing a safe and secured environment for the business to operate.
“May I stress that the Inland Container Depot ( ICD) and TTP projects were both conceived to facilitate efficient Cargo delivery to our hinterland importers and exporters, provide access to port services, provide employment opportunities and increase revenue generation to the State”. Bello stated.
Declaring the seminar open, Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai, expressed gratitude to the NSC for the role it played in recommending to the federal government the need to establish Inland Dry Port in Kaduna and the promotion of TTP.
Governor El-Rufai who was represented by his Deputy, Barnabas Bantex said, “Kaduna State is open for business and intends to do our best to support the ICD by providing the enabling environment for the project to succeed”.
