Kaduna dry port to boost export by $50b yearly, says El-Rufai

The newly built Kaduna Inland Dry Port will boost the country’s export capacity by over $50 billion yearly.

The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai disclosed this yesterday at the final inspection of the facility.

El-Rufai said the port would provide an easy process for the exportation of its beans worth about $50 billion.

He added that the state’s plans had reached an advanced stage to export beans to India, while other goods would be exported to various countries.

The facility, built by Inland Containers Nigeria Limited (ICNL) has the capacity to handle 29,000 tonnes of cargoes yearly and is estimated to generate no fewer than 5000 employment opportunities.

The maiden dry port in the country would receive cargo from Apapa Port in Lagos, through the railway and also export goods through the same channel.

He said the plan would largely reduce the congestion in Lagos ports, truck haulage and provides the ultimate relief for the busy Apapa road.

“We inherited this project from the previous administration and we support and did everything we could to make it work,” the governor said.

He enjoined the company to employ the local people to reduce unemployment in the state.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said his ministry would fully support the facility to achieve its employment opportunities and economic growth.

On railway, Amaechi said the project’s narrow gauge would be handed over to General Electric to bring in about 20 locomotives.

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello, commended the state for its support and promised to commission the project in less than three months.

According to him, more dry ports would be established in the country, even as the Jos project is about 65 per cent complete.

A dry port is an inland intermodal terminal directly connected by road or rail to a seaport and operating as a centre for the trans-shipment of sea cargo to inland destinations.