By Adedapo Adesanya
The Kano State Government has disclosed plans to spend not less than N2.3 billion for the development of Dala Inland Dry Port in the state.
This was disclosed by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje at a working visit to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in Lagos yesterday.
The stipulated amount, according to the Governor, is for the development of the first phase of the port, which he noted would boost Kano State’s economy and that of Nigeria in general.
He then called on the council to ensure that inland dry port was linked with the railway network, stressing the need for effective collaboration between shippers and shipping lines.
He said, “The reason why we are here is to create a synergy between the shippers’ council and other stakeholders to ensure that the inland dry port in Kano is actualised.
“For more than 10 years, this project was initiated in Kano but there was no enabling environment to make sure it was actualised. With the coming of our administration, we are committed to seeing that the dry inland port is a reality.
“For phase one of it, we have committed N2.3 billion to provide access roads, electricity, water to the site. We are ready for the take-off of this very important project. We are here to show the shippers council that Kano state has come of age as far as the dry port is concerned.
“The inland dry port is not only serving the Kano people, but it is also serving the northern part of this country, West African countries like the Republic of Niger and it is serving the Republic of Chad and the northern part of Cameroon. Import is made easy as well as export. Kano has come of age.”
On the part of the Executive Secretary of NSC, Mr Hassan Bello, he said with the status of Kano State as a centre of trade and commerce in Nigeria, the port would align with the council’s vision to increase the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), adding that the state’s economic viability made the Dala Inland Dry Port very significant.
The federal government had made it known that it would construct more dry ports across the country as part of moves to stimulate trade and economic development.
The government’s commitment to building dry ports are particularly necessary considering that the major seaport facilities have been over-stretched.
Business Post had reported that there were plans to build the Ibadan Inland Dry Port in Olorisa-Oko, Oyo State. The federal government and China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC), the preferred bidder, has signed the implementation of the $111 million project.
