Location of DALA INLAND DRY PORT will boost trade, reduce barriers to international trade – Hassan Bello

Location of DALA INLAND DRY PORT will boost trade, reduce barriers to international trade – Hassan Bello

Abiodun OBA

The location of DALA INLAND DRY PORT  in Kano, would boost trade and reduce barriers to international trade.

Hon. Mohammad Kamalia, Managing Partner/ CEO, (right) Presenting the Reviewed Full Business Report of the Dala Inland Dry Port to Hassan Bello Executive Secretary/CEO Nigerian Shippers’ Council, (middle) and the Chairman, Dala IDP, Abubakar Bauro (left)

Nigerian Shippers’ Council Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Bar. Hassan Bello  made the declaration while receiving “The Reviewed Full Business Report of the Dala Inland Dry Port”, from the Managing partner/CEO of the Public Private Partnership Advisories, Hon.Mohammed Kumalia, at the Shippers’ Council office in Abuja.

In a press statement by Rakiya Zubairu, NSC Head of Public Relations, Bello emphasized, that the dry port would 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 important milestone comes after the bankability, viability and sustainability of the Inland Dry Port had been ascertained.

The NSC boss said the project aims to decongest the ports and highlight the achievability of the Africa Free Continental Trade Agreement (AfCTA).

He reiterated that 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.

The Dala Dry Port project which was concessioned in 2006 along with six other Inland Dry Ports, 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 Inland Dry Port project received a boost when it found new investors.

Skeletal services are expected to commence by June 2021.

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.

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