‘Dala inland dry port vital for AfCFTA, trans-sahara trade development’

• National Frieght Office, Illela, ready for take-off, says Amaechi
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shipper’s Council (NSC), Emmanuel Jime, has affirmed that the Dala Inland Dry Port (IDP) in Kano State would boost trans-sahara trade and the implementation of Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.

Jime stated this during the inspection of the ongoing construction at the Dala Inland Dry Port site at Zawachiki in Kano State.

The NSC boss, in a statement by the Head, Public Relations of the council, Rakiya Dhikru-Yagboyaju, said Dala IDP, when completed, would further decongest the seaports, reduce the cost of doing business and provide an avenue for shippers in the hinterland and neighboring countries like Niger, Chad, and Benin to have their cargoes transported to their doorsteps.

The Council’s boss, who also participated in the 16th National Council on Transportation in Kano State, described the Dala Inland Dry Port as a pacesetter for other dry ports in the country.

While acknowledging Kano State to lead the way in commercial activities across states in the northern part of the country, Jime further advised other states to emulate the support and partnership of the State Government on the development of the Dala IDP.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Dala Inland Dry Port, Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro, said the IDP would attract volumes of economic activities to the State, boost the infrastructural development, increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and also increase employment opportunities.

He pleaded for the support of the Council to fast track the conferment of the dry port’s status as a Port of Origin and Port of Destination, while assuring that construction will be completed by the end of November 2021 and full operation will commence.

He also appreciated the Kano State Government and Nigerian Shippers’ Council for their roles in bringing the IDP project to actualisation.

MEANWHILE, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has announced the completion of the National Freight Office (NFO) in Illela, Sokoto State.

Amaechi, who made this known during the Executive session of the National Council on Transportation, lauded the different departments and agencies in the Ministry of Transportation for working assiduously in their various areas to achieve success in all programmes and projects embarked upon.

He lauded the NSC’s establishment of dry ports across the country, while urging all sectors to work towards attracting private investors – local and foreign, to fast-track the growth of the nation’s economy and closing the transport infrastructural gaps in the country.

The Minister further recognised the achievements made by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), including the take-off of the Deep Blue project, with all assets, vessels, aircraft and other gadgets acquired.

He also recognised the Ministry’s achievements in the Rail transport sector and the efforts of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), particularly with the Lekki deep seaport and efforts in decongesting Apapa Port.