Businesses seek FG support for quick completion of Kano Dry Port
Concerned business owners in the commercial city of Kano, are calling on the Federal Government to step–up its commitment towards the actualization of an Inland Dry Port project being developed in the city, as a part of a strategic move to re-invent the economy of the state.
Construction work on the project which was initiated in 2003 by a private concessionaire, The Dala Inland Dry Port Nigeria Limited, has reached advance stage with final technical arrangement for its take off being completed.
Analysts believe the port has the potential of tremendously reducing cost of doing business in the state as well as generate several millions of dollars in terms of re
venue to the state coffer.
The business as well as commercial city of Kano is known to be one of the frontier markets in Nigeria, contributing about 45 percent of the nation`s cargo export.
Six dry ports (inland container deports – ICDs) were approved for construction across the country through public private partnership by the administration of former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
The port is to be linked to rail lines to ease movement of cargoes and other exportable commodities from the agriculture and mineral producing belts of Nigeria to the sea ports in the country.
Confirming the on-going construction work at the site of the Port, Ahmad Rab`iu, the promoter of the port project, disclosed that Kano State Government which has recently taken 20 percent equity in the business, would be completing roads connecting the port.
According to him, the Kano government has concluded arrangements for the award of contracts for the development of the road networks linking the port in the 2019 financial plan.
The inland deports (ICDs) are being situated in Funtua in Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Isiala Agwa in Abia, Jos in Plateau and Ibadan in Oyo states and all will be linked to the railways down to the sea ports.
The Dala Inland Dry Port located at Zawachiki in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, is equipped with essential supporting facilities, such as: warehouse, and enjoys the status of a designated Transport and Logistics Free Zone.
Rab`iu further confirmed that already the Buhari government is supporting the project under the Zero –Oil initiative which is being implemented by a committee under the chairmanship of Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar, the governor of Jigawa state
He added that there is a buy into the project of a team of Chinese investors, as well as demonstration of support by development finance institutions like the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) and the Bank of Industry.