The federal government has disclosed that the Kaduna Inland Dry Port, an erstwhile inland container depot upgraded to the status of an Inland Dry Port (IDP), has started receiving containers for clearance. In effect, the Kaduna IDP is a port of origin for export.
The government, through the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, gave this hint, while delivering an address at the 2018 second quarter meeting of Public Private Partnership Unit Consultative Forum (3PUCF) in Abuja.
According to Bello, “I am really happy to inform this forum that the Kaduna IDP has started receiving containers for clearance. In effect, the Kaduna IDP is a port of origin for export cargo and final destination for import cargo.”
Bello disclosed that, the advantages of having the Kaduna IDP and other IDPs to be delivered very soon cannot be over emphasised.
He said: “One is bringing shipping closer to shippers in the hinterland. Since the creation of PPP Unit in the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in January, 2015, many projects have been initiated which are currently at various stages of delivery.
“An update on our projects, I believe will be presented in the course of your deliberations. You are no doubt aware that some of our PPP projects are already being delivered.
“This pilot facilities management PPP is especially significant for our national PPP agenda, because one; it gives us another opportunity to demonstrate that government’s PPP agenda is designed to accommodate Nigerian businesses; and two; it opens another vista in the commitment of the Buhari administration to engender collaboration between the public and private sector and improve social and economic life in the country through functional and well managed infrastructure assets.”
Furthermore, he said: “Nigeria infrastructure needs is critical and there is no gainsaying that PPP is the way to go in delivering projects for the benefits of the people.”
Bello, represented by the Deputy Director, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Abuja Liason Office, Mr. Ekpeyong Eke, added that “in January this year, President Mohammadu Buhari GCFR, commissioned the Kaduna Inland Dry Port, an erstwhile inland container depot upgraded to the status of an Inland Dry Port (IDP), an initiative of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, with the combined effort of ICNL Limited, Kaduna State Government and guided through the PPP process by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).”
On the issue of the endemic traffic gridlock in Apapa, he stated that, “it’s a challenge that should not only be to maritime agencies but to us all.
“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council Truck Transit Parks (TTPs) project, or more precisely, Truck Holding Bays, with Electronic Call Up System is one of a combination of solutions that can address the situation. Intelligent Traffic Management System is another. These can be delivered by way of PPP without putting a strain on government finances.
“Regrettably, PPPs is fraught with several challenges notably bureaucratic and lengthy process for land allocation by state governments. We shall however, not rest on our oars. We are continuously engaging with all relevant stakeholders to fast track the projects and we have no doubt that these projects would be delivered in not too distant future.”
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