The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has explained the circumstances behind the slow take-off of some of the Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) located in different parts of the country.
It’s Executive Secretary; Mr Hassan Bello told one of our correspondents last week that since the Kaduna Inland Dry Port was commissioned last month by President Muhammadu Buhari, concessionaires of the yet-to-take-off ports have been encouraged to redouble their efforts.
Reacting to insinuations that most of the facilities are underdeveloped, Bello stated that, while some have owned up to their challenges, some are working towards getting the facilities commissioned soon.
According to him, since the commissioning of the Kaduna IDP in January, the Heipang Inland Container Deport in Plateau state is most likely the next to be commissioned.
Also, confirming the development, Executive Director, DUNCAN Group of Companies; who are the concessionaires, Mr Bawa Peters said that, “already, offices for banks, clearing agents, fire service bay and port police post are almost completed; it means we have gone very far’’.
He appealed to business men in the North to patronise the project when completed, saying that it would save them the massive cost involved in traveling to sea ports to clear their goods.
“Vigorous work commenced at the site five weeks ago; the progress is massive and will be sustained till the job is completed,” he assured.
Peters called on the Federal and Plateau state governments to ensure the construction of a railway line to the terminal.
“Government should also ensure that there are good roads, electricity and other facilities that will link the container depot’’, he appealed.
However, activities are gradually picking up at the Kaduna Dry Port since its commissioning. Manager of the port, Mr Rotimi Raimi explained that the general cargo activities that are being carried out in Lagos seaports are also taking place in Kaduna, adding that they have been getting encouraging inquiries from businessmen on how best to utilise the port.
He said importers in the North now had an alternative of cheaper means of doing business without demurrage, as goods are received within 24 hours.
“What we are advising importers to do is to adhere to the Federal Government’s guidelines on importation; importers or exporters that do not know what to do, should come to us; we are going to enlighten them on all the processes so that they can be guided accordingly,’’ he said.
He said in terms of job creation, the port had provided fully furnished offices for all government agencies, shipping representatives, banks and restaurants, making it a one-stop-shop for businesses.
“We are expanding and in a few years to come, a lot of employment opportunities will be created; the employment rate, both direct and indirect, will be multiplying on a yearly basis,’’ he added.
The manager said a Modern Examination Bill for the Nigeria Customs Service, the first of its type in the country, had been installed at the port.
He said 30 wagons would be used to pull and push containers to the terminal from the train station.
According to him, the port has the capacity to handle 29,000 tons of cargo yearly, with room for expansion.
On security, Raimi said facilities had been put in place, with government and private security personnel, CCTV cameras and electric fence complementing each other to ensure the safety of goods.’’
Apart from Kaduna and Jos IDPs, there are such facilities in Abia, Kano, Oyo states, among others.
But, Bello blamed the investors for the delay in those facilities, even as he acknowledged that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as the facilitator must put more pressure on the concessionaires.
Discussion about this post