By Kenneth Jukpor
In a bid to ensure that the Dala Inland Dry Port realizes its enormous socio-economic potentials, the Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has appealed to the Ministry of Transportation to ensure the dry port attains port of origin and port of destination status across the globe.
Ganduje, who was speaking during a visit to the headquarters of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) earlier today, also stressed the need to have railway connection to the inland dry port.
While assuring the Transport Ministry and Shippers’ Council of his administration’s commitment to facilitate the dry port project, Ganduje noted that State government had already commenced the construction of standard dual access roads to the dry port.
His words: “Kano State Government under my watch, appreciates the economic importance of the Inland Dry Port Project to the socioeconomic wellbeing of my people and we are fully committed to facilitate and support its actualization. We had provided the 200 hectares of virgin land free of encumbrances required for the two integrated projects; the Inland Dry Port and the Special Economic Zone. We also provided critical infrastructure required for the project, notably: construction of standard dual carriage access road to the project site; provision of power and water to the slte, among others.”
He also revealed that the concessionaires and the State government have started promoting and obtaining support from appropriate quotas particularly regulatory agencies like NSC, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Nigerian Railway Corporation (NSC), shipping lines, among others.
According to the Kano State governor, the dry port project wouldn’t only be beneficial to the state and its citizens but the entire Northern region of the country.
He commended the NSC boss, Mr. Hassan Bello for his efforts towards ensuring the dream of establishing the dry port in Kano didn’t die.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of NSC, Bello described Kano State as a centre of trade and commerce in Nigeria over the years, adding that the State’s economic viability makes the Dala Inland Dry Port very significant.
Bello said, “If there is a place that deserves the establishment of an inland dry port, it must be Kano State. Three years into your administration as Governor, you have revived this Dala Inland Dry Port project. I’m not surprised because you have proven results across the state which show that you’re more of an economic Governor than a political one.”
He commended the Governor for the over N2billion access road which was over 50 percent complete as well as the provision of electricity and water supply.
The NSC boss stressed that an industrial base was emerging in Kano State as the power projects, Inland dry port and other transport infrastructure would lead to significant growth in the state’s economy.
Meanwhile, the Director General of ICRC, Mr. Chiro Izuwah expressed optimism that the Dala Inland Dry Port project would get the approval of Federal Executive Council (FEC) by December, 2020.
Izuwah, who was represented by the ICRC Director for Transport Infrastructure, Mr. Emmanuel Onwodi noted that the pending issues with the concessionaires include; the full Business Case, new concession agreement, structure of shareholders’ stakes among others.
The ICRC Director also expressed delight at the project, assuring that Kano State Government and the concessionaires of the dry port would get all the support required from ICRC.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi pledged the support of the Ministry towards the realization of the dry port project.
Amaechi, who was represented by the Director of Maritime Services, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Dauda Suleiman reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to link all seaports and dry ports with railway.
