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From left: Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Bar. Hassan Bello during a courtesy visit at the state house, recently Community cedes 68 hectres of land
- Gov. Ugwuanyi supports NSC for NTC
The Federal Government is to site three key transport infrastructure in Enugu State as a strategy to decongesting the seaports, promote export and create more corridors for transit trade between Nigeria and her landlocked neigbouring countries of Niger and Chad.
The projects are Truck Transit Park (TTP), Inland Container Depot (ICD) and Transshipment Cargo Terminal at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
The state government in Enugu last week, allocated 68 hectares of land at Obollo Afor town in Udenu Local Government Area of the state for the truck transit park.
These projects are expected to complement the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) already sited at the 9th mile area of the state, attracted by former governor of the state, Sullivan Chime.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Bar. Hassan Bello, observed that the projects when actualized will reposition Enugu as a transshipment hub in West Africa sub-region, explaining that the visit of NSC management team to the state was to discuss how the TTP, ICD and transshipment air cargo terminal being promoted by the Council could meet some aspirations of the state government. The projects are being undertaking under public private partnership (PPP) among the state, private investors and the Federal Government.
According to Bello, TTP is a modern state of the art facility situated just off the Highways, designed to provide temporary rest location where truck drivers can conveniently park their vehicles in a healthy environment, get accommodation, fuel, food, drinks, rest rooms, showers and other basic suppliers like oil and spare-part as well as servicing of their vehicles. The parks are primarily intended for short-term safety breaks and also long-term parking services in high-use corridors.
Explaining that the NSC as a regulatory agency for the projects, is facilitating the development of TTPs at eight locations across the country, with Obollo Afor inclusive, he noted that in line with the decisions of the 13th National Council on Transport (NCT) in November, 2013 in Lagos, state governments interested in the development of TTPs could either do so separately or in collaboration with Federal Government.
Kogi State, he added, had allocated over 45 hectares of land for the establishment of a pilot TTP project at Ohono village, along the Abuja-Lokoja way, while the Kaduna State government is finalizing arrangement for the development of its TTP project at three locations across the state.
He further explained, “The Federal Government policy direction is for the TTP projects to be private sector driven under a PPP arrangement. Under this arrangement, the state government shall undertake the obligation of providing land as well as basic infrastructure, including access road, electricity and water supply. The private sector concessionaire shall provide investment, management and maintenance for the success of the projects”.
Bello listed the benefits of a TTP as provision of reliable and convenient parking facilities for truck drivers; provision of cargo safety and reduction in cargo pilferage and loss on transit; improved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the state; facilitate smooth movement and timely delivery of transit cargoes to the landlocked neigbouring countries; creation of employment opportunities and related socio-economic services; among others.
The NSC boss highlighted the importance of ICD as, “it will bring about the port economy in the state. With this, it means that shipping is brought to Enugu and that will entail ancillary and industrial clusters in the state. However, it is important that this project is imperically done for its viability. With this, goods can be shipped from country of origin direct to Enugu, and shippers will have cheaper means of transportation.”
According to him, “the cargo terminal at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport is being promoted by NSC and the Infrastructure Construction and Regulatory Commission (ICRC), to be constructed through open bidding process to open up Enugu state.
Stating that the shippers association is ready to partner and make the cargo terminal a reality, Bello called on Gov. Ugwuanyi to use his executive and legislative experience to help NSC transmute to National Transport Commission (NTC), whose bill is pending in the National Assembly.
In his response, Gov. Ugwuanyi promised to lend his support to ensure that NSC transmutes to NTC, while observing that the integrated transport facility will reduce vehicular congestion on the high way and accidents while creating employment opportunities, adding that it is a step towards the realization of a proper seaport.
Confirming the allocation of 68 hectares of land to the project, he added that “Enugu has taken a far reaching step on this and will continue to support the Council for the realization of the projects in the shortest possible time”.
Conducting the members of the NSC management team round the 68 hectares of land donated by the community leaders in Obollo Afor town, the chairman of Udenu Local Government Council, Barr. Amaechi Nwodo, said that “my people are very pleased with the projects. The traditional rulers are excited. They think of what will enhance the lives of the people and generate employment. They did not ask for compensation for the land because the project has multiplier effects that will enhance standard of living. The land belongs to Obollo town with 10 autonomous communities that make up the Obollo town”.
