Shippers’ Council Proposes  N15bn  To Build  International Resource Centre In Jos

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello has stated that the Council has a dream of building an international resource centre which will cost a whooping  fifteen billion (₦15,000,000.000) in Jos, Plateau State.

Bello stated this during the official commissioning of the council’s north central coordinating office complex in Jos on Friday.

 

According to him, the project will undergo a Private Partnership and supported at all times by the NSC.

 

He said “The Nigerian Shippers Council has a dream of building an international resource centre which will cost Fifteen billion (₦15,000,000.000) in Jos.

 

“This is a massive but magnificent monument that will include a 5 star Hotel, shopping mall, restaurant, Multipurpose halls, Conference centre (automate) with a capacity of 2,500 people.

 

 

“This project will be delivered through Public Private Partnership and supported at all times by the NSC. This zone, this state, this city deserves no less than this. I am sure I will find support from the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Plateau State Government and the private sector.

 

 

“This Office to be commissioned is built for you, it is your Office, dedicated to the upliftment of International trade Shipping and transportation.

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking on the Jos Dry Port , Bello described  the Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong believes in the cargo freight station as an economic investment, a catalyst for employment and an avenue to place the state on the global map of export.

 

He also expressed optimism  that the Inland Container Dry (ICD)  would be completed by 1st Quarter of 2022.

 

“Gov. Lalong is an economic friendly Governor. He is a friend of the Council.

 

 

“His doors are always open to us; I have the privilege of having unfettered access to him, especially in Abuja. I am humble to enjoy sharing his vision, his dream for Plateau State and Nigeria.

 

“The product of these discussions, sometimes presided over by the Minister of Transportation is that the Jos Dry Port will be revitalized and energized. We sincerely hope that it would be completed by 1st Quarter of 2022.

 

 

 

 

Speaking also , Governor Lalong noted that the development came at the time when the Federal Government was reviving the railway line right from Port Harcourt through many cities including Jos.

 

He  said: “Although the State is very suitable and well-endowed for the citing of this project, we do not take it for granted that Plateau was chosen as the host out of many States in the country.

 

“I wish to assure you that this decision will never be regretted.

 

” There is no doubt that citing this North Central Coordinating Office in Jos will add a lot of value to the general plan for development of Inland Container Terminals across the nation and also facilitate more economic activities in the hinterland.

 

“Plateau State has been a centre for economic and socio political activities in Nigeria right from colonial times.

 

The Governor said because of its serenity, centrality, easy access, good weather, mining and agricultural endowments, hospitable people and a lot of tourist attractions, Plateau State becomes the natural choice for the development of inland shipping business in the nation.

 

He said” In addition to this, the Yakubu Gowon Airport Heipang is selected as one of the four new Cargo Airports whose work will begin soon. This is a great mix that makes today’s event very timely.

 

“We were at the Inland Container Depot at Heipang to inspect the facility. Although this facility has been on ground for some time, it is very promising that the time has come for it to come into use. We have the assurances of the Federal Ministry of Transport towards achieving this objective.

 

 

 

“We are happy that this entire boost in economic activities of our State is coming at the time when we have activated sustained efforts to improve our revenue base. We have to look inwards for other sources of funding our programmes and projects as COVID-19 has accelerated the urgency for us to think out of the box”.