Nigeria’s first dry inland port to be commissioned on Thursday

President Muhammadu Buhari, will on Thursday this week commission Nigeria’s first dry inland port in Kaduna. The port was built by the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) and is one of seven dry ports planned  by the country. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director Special Duties Ignatius Nweke.

The NSC also disclosed that several other dry ports in the country have been concessioned. They include Isiala Ngwa (Abia State), Ernumu in Oyo State, Heipang in Plateau State, Zawachiki in Kano State, Funtua (Katsina State) and Maiduguri (Borno State).

What is a dry port ?

A dry port which is also known as an inland port is terminal directly connected by road or rail to a seaport and operating as a centre for the transshipment of sea cargo to inland destinations.

In addition to their role in cargo trans-shipment, dry ports may also include facilities for storage and consolidation of goods, maintenance for road or rail cargo carriers and customs clearance services.

How will the Kaduna dry port work ?

The port will receive goods from the Apapa ports by rail as well as road.

Why this is major ?

The creation of a dry port will spur employment in the state. Kaduna before now, served as a major industrial hub in Northern Nigeria. The port will also create more jobs as an estimated 5000 direct jobs is targeted.  Besides the direct jobs, the host community also benefits as ports are usually a beehive of activities. The Apapa ports will also be less congested

Industries operating in Kaduna will also have access to cheaper raw materials. The ports are also an access route for goods to be exported out of the state. The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) was established in 1978 by decree 13 NSC Act Cap. N133 LFN 2004. It is vested with the responsibility of protecting the interest of Nigerian Shippers i.e. importers and exporters..