The Kano State Government on Friday, appealed to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to engage the Federal Government through the ministry of transportation to declared the Dala Inland Dry Port as a port of origin and destination.
Governor of the State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje who made the plea during a working visit to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in Lagos , advocated for the council to ensure that inland dry port is linked with railway network , stressing the need for effective collaboration between shippers and shipping line agencies with seamless flow of import and export cargoes.
The Governor noted that with the continuous support from the council , would further expedite the completion of the Dala inland dry port project which in turn will boost Kano State economy and that of Nigeria in general.
According to him, “We want you follow up with the Ministry of Transportation for the facility to be declared as a port of origin and destination by the Honourable Minister.
“We also want you to assist and follow up with the Nigerian Railway Corporation for the rail line extension into the inland port ;ensure cooperation and collaboration between the shipping lines and their agents with the inland port to allow seamless flow of both import and export cargoes.
“Kindly help us to facilitate the actualisation of the inland port to be a transport and logistics Free Zone and also facilitate linkage and access to the markets in Sahel Africa countries particularly Chad and Niger Republics”, the Governor appealed to management of the council.
Ganduje stated that the presidential policy on agriculture development has yielded great results adding that Nigeria is inching towards self sufficiency in food production and positioned to resume exportation of farm produces.
“I am delighted to state that the Kano State Government has been at the forefront in the promotion of agricultural production for export and we are returning to all seasons farming covering the dry and rainy seasons and harmattan.
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“The combined effects of our efforts and that of the federal government will greatly enhance agricultural products that will patronise the inland port.
Continuing, the Governor lauded efforts by the federal government to open up new business opportunities across , especially the attraction of Kano – Dambatta- Daura- Maradi rail line pointing out that the project will in no doubt grow the nation’s economy and improve the socioeconomic well being of the entire citizenry.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary, of the council, Barrister Hassan Bello, noted that Kano State is the hub for commerce and industrialization adding that small and medium enterprise would benefit from the inland port.
Bello affirmed that the project can only come at a time when the Governor has been able to revolutionise the state through infrastructure development.
He recalled that the inland port protection commenced in 2006 and with the commitment of the current administration led by Ganduje there has been significant interest for the completion.
The Executive Secretary, said the facility will also impact significantly on the economy of the northern region of the country and other neighbouring countries in sub Sahel region of Africa.
Bello also said that the project will be supervised by the council , even as he expressed satisfaction of government support to ensure the actualisation of the dry port .
The Dala inland dry port is estimated at about $30 million but the first phase will take about $14 million US dollars but part of it is going to come from equity.
The equity funding will take about 30 to 40 percent of the required funds and the rest will come from banks.
By Roland Ekama
