NSC and Borno State Government to Commission Inland Dry Port.
The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has partnered with the Borno State government to establish an Inland Dry Port (IDP), aimed at facilitating the movement of cargo from inland areas to seaports. This initiative is part of the NSC’s broader efforts to improve trade logistics and streamline cargo movement across the country.
In a statement made in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the NSC, Pius Akutah, emphasized the significance of this dry port, highlighting its role in complementing the Council’s ongoing efforts to enhance trade processes in Nigeria.
“We are promoting the Inland Dry Ports initiative, with about three of the ports already operational,” Akutah said. He also revealed that following a productive meeting with the Governor of Borno State, it was agreed that Nigeria is likely to commission another inland dry port within the next six months.
This development follows the recent commissioning of the Funtua Inland Dry Port in Katsina State, part of the Council’s ongoing efforts to facilitate trade in the country. Akutah noted that the Inland Dry Port project would contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic expansion, particularly through export growth.
Akutah stressed that the inland dry port initiative is primarily focused on boosting exports. “Inland dry ports are all about export, and we know that there is much to be exported from Nigeria,” he said.
The development of inland dry ports across the country was initiated by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council around 20 years ago. These ports are being developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement, based on the Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) model.
Related Posts
According to the NSC, the Inland Dry Port projects are designed to bring shipping services closer to shippers, help decongest seaports, and promote the modernization of the railway system for long-distance cargo haulage. Additionally, these ports are expected to reduce the overall cost of cargo transportation to inland locations and landlocked countries.
Once completed, the dry port in Borno State will be among the first in Nigeria to be commissioned for operations, following the Funtua, Kaduna, and Dala dry ports in Kano. This marks a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to enhance trade and logistics infrastructure.
