The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr Hassan Bello said cargo delivery by rail to the Kaduna Inland Dry port would generate 24,000 direct jobs.
He disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on the sideline of the One-Day interactive programme held on Tuesday in Kaduna, to flag-off the commencement of cargo delivery by rail to the inland dry port.
He said that the Shippers’ Council was currently discussing with a foreign agency in London and local investors to see what value could be added to the port.
“As you can see businesses are springing up around the port, regulatory agencies are coming, restaurants, trucks are also coming in.
“About 24,000 direct jobs will be created from this project, if we are able to connect to Niger Republic and Chad to use the port as destination port for their cargo, it will have a multiplier effect for Kaduna and it’s environs.
“We will be able to decongest the port in Apapa and Tincan Island and we won’t be having the gridlock we are experiencing now.
He said that the council was also discussing with Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council in London to bring them to Kaduna to have a look and to know what value they can add to the dry port.
“It is important that the dry port is not just a Transportation centre but a hub of economic activities,“he said.
Bello said that so many facilities like stores, refrigerated warehouses, consolidation centers, factories were needed for packaging which was a problem for export.
“We are talking with the Nigerian Railway to create more space for the associated industries, it’s an industrial hub where things are processed.
“We don’t want to be exporting raw materials without being processed and there is also need to improve on the packaging,” he said.
Bello said that the port may also be a free trade zone adding that they were talking with the appropriate authorities to see to it.
He said about 24 wagons delivered 24 containers on each trip, adding that it takes two days for cargoes to get to Kaduna from Lagos.
“It will be two trips per week and they will also take laden containers. If it cost N700, 000 to bring 20ft container to Kaduna from Lagos by road, it could be 50 per cent lesser by rail,“ he said.
He said that rail would determine the cost of transportation that would bring down the cost of production and there would be no inflation in Kaduna and its environ.
The Shippers Council boss said that the major cargo coming in were industrials goods and vehicles.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi said that the Kaduna Dry Port will greatly provide the needed stimulus for massive economic growth in Kaduna state and the country at large.
The minister was represented at the event by the Director Maritime Services in the Ministry, Sani Galadanci.
He noted that the progressive effort of the present administration in rail rehabilitation and construction was aimed at ensuring effective intermodel transport connectivity nationwide.
According to him, the dry ports are transport infrastructure projects promoted by the ministry and Nigeria Shippers Council as part of the solutions to problems faced by hinterland shippers.
The minister explained that the dry port was also to address the problems of inadequate access to sea ports, remove frequent congestion which resulted in the loss of cargo on transit, carnage and accident on the land mode.
He added that the inland ports “not only reduce transport costs but also bring shipping to the door steps of shippers.”
“It will also stimulate economic growth and prosperity,” he said, and called for collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure success.
On his part, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, said the dry port was functional and goods could be shipped from every part of the world to Kaduna.
“Today’s event has opened a new vista of commercial opportunities not only for Northern businessmen, but also neighbouring countries.”
He noted that it would not only create jobs but also lower the cost of doing business in northern Nigeria as well as lower the cost of agricultural products.
”I am very happy about this because, this day means the end of our comparative disadvantage as a land locked state as this shipment clearly shows that the Kaduna dry port has been recognised as port of destination as well as port of reception of all imports and exports through out the world.
”We are grateful to the ministry of transportation, the shippers council, Inland Container Nigeria Limited and all the regulatory agencies that worked hard to make this possible, ”he said.
He reiterated the state government’s commitment in supporting the venture to make it a success.
“I already directed the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency to reach out to all investors so that we can have more warehouses, storage facilities and factories here.
“We are also sending trade delegation to Niger Republic to draw their attention to the existance of this inland port so that they ship more and more of their goods to this inland port,” the governor said.
“Whatever we need to do to make this venture more successful, I promise you by the grace of God we will do so,” he said.
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