The Minister of Transport, Mr Idris Umar, on Monday urged Nigerians to utilise the opportunities provided by Inland Container Deports/Dry Ports established by Federal Government across the country.
Umar made the call during the inauguration of Funtua Freight Station/Dry Port in Katsina State.
He said the measure was part of the initiatives aimed at bringing imports and exports services closer to people.
He explained that the programme was part of the Federal Government Transformation Agenda, adding that dry ports would rejuvenate commercial activities as well as provide job opportunities for Nigerians.
According to him, all the six dry ports have been inaugurated with the exception of the one in Borno.
Umar said the government was determined to upgrade and construct more railways along with other facilities aimed at actualising the government initiatives.
The minister said the dry ports would go a long way in reducing port congestion and bringing services to the door steps of businessmen, and advised Nigerians to harness the opportunities.
He commended Gov. Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State for his commitment and Nigerian Shippers Council, Concessionaires Equatorial Marine Oil and Gas and other stakeholders for actualising the project.
Responding, Shema expressed appreciation over the actualisation of the projects, adding that it would improve the lives of the people of Katsina State, the neighbouring states and some countries.
Shema directed the Commissioner for Works to immediately design and award contract for road network, water and electricity supply to the area within a month.
Speaking also, Chairman of Nigerian Shippers Council, Lt. Gen. Salihu Ibrahim, emphasised the council’s commitment to promoting economic growth in the country.
Ibrahim explained that the dry port initiative had indicated Federal Government’s commitment to facilitating economic activities in the country.
Eariler, the Chairman Project Technical Implementation Committee, Alhaji Aminu Kofar-Bai, said the project was started in 2003 at a cost of N3 billion.
Kofar-Bai said Katsina State government was expected to acquire 10 per cent equity while the local councils would acquire 10 per cent equity.
He said that the equity reserved for Katsina indigenes would be privatised later during the implementation.
The Chairman of Concessionaires, Equatorial Marine Oil and Gas, Alhaji Umaru Muttallab, said the project would be implemented within the 30 months span designed, adding that the value had been reviewed from N3 billion to N5 billion.
Muttallab said the port when completed would change the economic landscape of the region and the neighbouring countries.
