Shippers’ Council lists merits of Abia dry port to S/East businesses, industries
The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr Hassan Bello has said that the concept of dry port being driven by the agency will among other things help bring shipping to the door step of every Nigerian.
Explaining more on the advantages of the newly sealed deal on the development of dry port at Ntigha, Isialangwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, he said “It would reduce the cost of shipping and boost the economy of host region as it drives door-to-door delivery of goods which is modern and electronic bill of lading as well as e-commerce”.
“That is why we have been at the forefront promoting the development of Inland Container Depots (ICDs) across the country.
“The Council recently signed an agreement for the construction, procurement and management of a dry port located at Ntigha in Isialangwa North Local Government Area of Abia State. We are sure that with the signing of the agreement, work would begin soon at the site.
“The Abia Inland Cargo Dry port will ultimately become an export free trade zone, which will enable the creation of 3,000 direct jobs. When fully operational, the port is expected to boost business transactions in the South East and decongest Onne and Port Harcourt wharfs.
“The proposed project, which is a 50,000-TEU port facility, will serve Aba, Onitsha, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Delta and Benue States. The port will receive containerised cargo by rail or road from Port Harcourt. The most important thing about these ports including the ones at Funtua, Kaduna and Jos among others is that they are also ports of origin and destination which means that they will be used for export and export is really important now to the diversification of the Nigerian economy.
