Dry ports ’ll stimulate Nigerian economy –Minister

FROM NOAH EBIJE, KADUNA
MINISTER of transporta­tion, Rotimi Amaechi has lauded the Nigerian Shippers’ Council ( NSC) for promot­ing Dry Port and Truck Transit Park ( TTP) in Kaduna State and across the country.
Speaking in Kaduna at the collaborative seminar organ­ised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and Inland Container Nigeria Limited ( ICNL), Amaechi said the project will provide stimulus to the econo­my of the State and the coun­try at large.
The seminar was entitled, “The Emergence of Inland Dry Port in Promoting Inter­national Trade and Enhancing Hinterland Shipping”.
The Minister said the Dry Port and TTP projects were conceived as part of solution to the problem of hinterland shiipers’ inadequate access to seaports and frequent conges­tion.
He added that frequent con­gestion at seaports had led to loss , carnage, and accidents of cargo in transit on land mode.
“It is pertinent to note that for this and similar projects to succeed, there must be an administrative as well as op­erational collaboration with the stakeholders.
“I am happy to observe that the Nigerian Shiipers’ Coun­cil is already collaborating with Nigerian Railway Cor­poration, Nigerian Ports Au­thority and the Nigerian Cus­toms Service to ensure that it succeeds”. Amaechi added
Earlier in his speech, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NSC, Hassan Bello com­mended the Kaduna State Government for its active role in the successful upgrading and gazetting of the bonded terminal to Inland Dry Port with full status of Port of Ori­gin and final destination.