Dala Inland Dry Port, Kano State has disclosed plans to commence skeletal services in June 2021.
Following the Reviewed Full Business Report it presented to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), it has passed the bankability, viability and sustainability test.
According to a statement released by the company, the business report was presented by the Management team, led by the Managing partner/CEO of the Public Private Partnership Advisories, Hon. Mohammed Kumalia, at the Shippers’ Council office today in Abuja.
The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, while speaking at the event said the project aims to decongest the ports and highlight the achievability of the Africa Free Continental Trade Agreement (AfCTA).
Bello stated that the locations of the dry port would boost trade and reduce barriers to international trade, noting that it would also be a complement to the Kano-Katsina –Jibiya-Maradi rail line and the Lagos-Kano Standard Gauge Railway, which will be integrated into the project.
“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, has consistently provided support to the concessionaires within the confines of the implementation guidelines and extant regulations.
“The dry port project is expected to create value for money by reducing transport cost and saving time in the movement of cargo to the hinterland, while increasing accessibility to Nigeria’s landlocked neighbours in the North”, part of the statement read.
The Dala Dry Port project was concessioned in 2006 along with six other Inland Dry Ports, but has suffered setbacks such as the lack of accessibility to long-term funding, lack of support from previous governments and regulatory gaps that existed when the concession exercise was initiated.
However, in 2018, the project received a boost when new investors came on board.
The Reviewed Business Report is to be submitted to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) through the Minister of Transportation for the issuance of a full business case compliance certificate.
