Owners of Kaduna ICD lament lack of cargoes

Four months after an elaborate presidential flag off of the Kaduna Inland Container Dry port, promoters of the facility have raised alarm over the non-availability of cargo which has stalked operation at the ICD.
They expressed worry over the inability of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to move cargoes from the Apapa seaport to the dry port.
Recall, that, President Muhammadu Buhari, on January 2nd 2018 officially flagged off the Kaduna ICD for activities.
The Kaduna ICD, the first of its kind in Nigeria, was created and designed to receive cargoes from Apapa Port in Lagos, through the railway.

The dry port is also designated as Ports of origin for exports and ports of destination for imports. It was also designed to accelerate the implementation of the Federal Government economic diversification policy by providing for importers and exporters located within the nation’s hinterland, especially industrial and commercial outfits, access to shipping and port services without necessarily visiting the seaports.
But the motive for the creation of the Dry port is under threat as importers now move their cargoes from the port through trucks by road instead of by rails.

Speaking to newsmen, a top management staff of the ICD said that, the inability of the NRC to move cargoes from the seaport to the ICD has been affecting operations.
The source, who craved for anonymity, said few cargoes they received at the dry port were brought by trucks.
The senior management source said even though the corporation promised to dedicate wagons and locomotives at a stakeholders meeting in Lagos after the commissioning, they are yet to fulfil their promise.
“When we have a stakeholders meeting at Federal Palace Hotel, the Managing Director of NRC promised that, they will dedicate locomotives and wagons but as at now, they have not done their parts but they promised they are working on it”, the source claimed.
He stated further, that, Northern shippers have expressed disappointment over non-functional rail system to the dryport.

“Northern Shippers have been coming and asking whether the rail is working and we have told them they will start operation by this quarter. ‎They believe ‎rail is cheaper and safe.”
“If we use rail, we have more advantage to attract Northern Shippers and the dryport has cost leverage compared to what is obtainable in Lagos port. If we are to entice customers, rail use must be working because we can use rail for both import and export.

“They have not started moving containers either in or out but they have promised that before the end of this quarter they will give us locomotive and wagons. The movement of cargoes they did was last year and that was when they had a washout ‎ but they have concluded the washout. What we needed now are wagons and locomotive.
“Since the train is not working, we have been getting cargoes by roads and you know our roads are bad and the best option is the rail. Even in South Africa that’s what is used.”

The Managing Director of NRC, Engineer Fidet Okhiria, had disclosed earlier this year, that, the corporation would be discussing with the Kaduna ICD management for movement of cargoes in and out of the dryport.
“We will be discussing with the Kaduna ICD management and if the goods going to the dry ports are readily available, then we are ready to move the cargoes.

“Rail doesn’t carry goods in pieces rather, we carry in bulk. We have the wagons and when they are ready they are loaded and not that they will be waiting for Mr A to bring one cargo or Mr B to bring in another cargo. Rather, it is direct from the shippers to the dryport.
“We believe the containers will be readily available and not one person taking container to Benin another to Warri but everyone having containers destined for Kaduna dryport being taken on the rail and have it loaded on the wagon and taken to the ICD.”