The Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Tuesday presented the all-important Outline Business Case Compliance (OBC) Certificate of the new Ibadan Inland Dry Port to Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi.
Presenting the certificate, the Executive Secretary of the Council; Mr Hassan Bello disclosed that the OBC certificate was valid for 12 months, even as he expressed optimism that the turning of sod, and mobilization for commencement of construction work will begin before the end of 2018 or early 2019.
Upon receipt of the OBC certificate for the project, the NSC Shipper Council is expected to inspect the allocated land, so as to facilitate the exchange of letters from the Oyo State Government to the Nigeria Shippers’ Council, on behalf of the federal government.
The Shippers’ Council boss charged stakeholders in the Ibadan dry port project to fulfill their obligations towards competing it on schedule and according to specification.
He said that the Ibadan Dry Port, which is estimated to have about 20,000 tons capacity is meant to ease the congestion at Apapa port, which plays host to a average of 7,500 trucks and tankers daily.
Bello however urged the Oyo State Government to pay the required compensation owners of the land on which the port is to be constructed to ensure freedom from litigation or community related agitation.
According to him, the state government was expected to also provide electricity, water, security and access roads to be provided to the project site.
Responding, Governor Ajimobi tasked the Nigeria Shippers’ Council and CRCC Construction Company, to carry out the project according to the stipulated timelines.
He noted that the capacity of the Ibadan Inland Dry Port, upon completion, to be the most patronised in Nigeria, Ajimobi specifically urged CRCC to be effective in carrying out its work so that the project does not go the way of the Erunmu dry port.
While assuaging the Governor’s fears, representative of CRCC management, Mr Dada Ahmed allayed fears of non-completion of the new Ibadan dry port project, noting that it was bankable and met requirements of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
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