Katsina Govt Says Funtua Inland Dry Port Will Boost AFCFTA Initiative For Northern Region

By Roland Ekama

Sequel to the commissioning of Funtua Inland Dry Port by President Bola Tinubu , the Katsina State Government has said that the project’s initiative will promote the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and create an enabling environment for businesses to strive in the Northern regions.

In his good will message, on Thursday , the Executive Governor of Katsina State, His Excellency, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, said his administration is determined to make Katsina State an investment haven.

According to him, the dry port project is a transport infrastructure project which is seamless and will facilitate the movement of goods.

He called on the agencies that would be working at the Funtua Inland Dry Port to exhibit understanding and professionalism in their operations.

The Governor said that the dry port would further promoted international trade within the region.

He commended management of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council ( NSC), over the Funtua Inland Dry Port initiative and other stakeholders for the pivotal role they have played that made the project a reality.

The Chairman, Funtua Inland Dry Port, Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Abdul Mutallab, expressed profound appreciation to the dignitaries present at the official commissioning of the Funtua Inland Dry Port project.

According to him, in 2006 Nigerian Shippers’ Council identified Funtua as a viable place for the establishment of dry port project in Katsina State through Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) arrangement and appreciated those behind the success of the dry port project in the state.

In his vote of thanks, the Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Pius Akutah, MON, said that the port will contribute immensely to the economic growth of the state and the country at large.

He pointed out that the Council will continue to support the operations of the Funtua Inland Dry Port and also gave the assistance of the staff to attend to their complaints and help in resolving them.