Kaduna dry port to create jobs, boost revenue, says operator

THE operators of Kaduna dry port have said that on resumption of activities the business would create massive employment in the state as well as boost government’s revenue.

Managing Director of Inland Container Nigeria Limited, operators of the Kaduna dry port, Mr. Ismail Yusuf, made the pledgein an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

“When our operations take off fully, which will be very soon, there will be job opportunities for different categories of people. Even those who provide services such as truck owners will be taking cargoes from the dry port to various warehouses.

“The government will also benefit from it through taxes and VAT,” Yusuf said.

The managing director lauded the government for gazetting the company in May, upgrading the inland container depot into a dry port with the status of a port of origin and final destination.

He said the dry port was a joint venture with the Kaduna State Government to ease the stress of moving cargoes for export or import from the northern part of the country.

“Those importing raw materials or finished goods will no longer come to Lagos because we are now close to them.

“Now, they are saved the cost of travelling and cost of accommodation as we will bring the service to their doorstep at a cheaper rate and with ease,” the managing director said.

Yusuf said the company’s new status would link it fast with the international business community, while staff members would be exposed to capacity building through several training.

Also speaking, Mr. Rotimi Raimi, a Deputy General Manager and Head of Operations, said the company’s operation would open greater business frontiers in the northern region, thus encouraging trade.

Raimi said that export of goods from Kaduna to any part of the world would now be easy and facilitate investments, particularly in the region.

On freight cost with regards to the mode of movement, he said the company was already talking with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to facilitate easy movement of cargoes.

Raimi said the company was also speaking with some haulage companies for movement by road to ensure diverse modes of moving goods.