Nigeria berths 3rd Inland Dry Port

By Abiodun OBA

The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will tomorrow Thursday commission the nation’s third Inland Dry Port in Katsina State.

The much-anticipated Funtua Inland Dry Port (IDP) ceremony is expected to hold by on 9th May 2024 at Funtua IDP Project Site, by 11: 00 a.m. prompt.

A statement signed by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Assistant Director, Public Relations Unit, Rebecca Adamu, emphasized that the IDP is in line with the performance bond signed by the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON.

Adamu quoted the Executive Secretary/CEO of NSC, Barr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah, MON, as emphasizing that, “The establishment of the Inland Dry Ports being promoted by the Council will among other things bring shipping and port services closer to the importers and exporters at the hinterland, decongest the Seaports, create job opportunities, improve and accrue huge revenue to the Government, etc.

“This significant milestone marks a pivotal moment of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s commitment in facilitating trade in Nigeria.

“It is worthy to note that, this initiative is part of Council’s Key Performance Indicator (KPI) to deliver the Funtua Inland Dry Port Project before the end of the 1st Quarter, 2024,” the statement maintained.

Recall that in February 2023, the Federal Government under the Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR-led administration declared Funtua IDP as a Port of Origin and Destination which paved the way for importers and exporters to officially consign their cargo from Funtua to any part of the world.

This is the third in the series by the Federal Government to commission the Inland Dry Ports in the nation. The first was the commissioning of Kaduna Inland Dry Port in 2018 and Dala Inland Dry Port in 2023.

The Commissioning Ceremony will feature key dignitaries, government officials and industry stakeholders.

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