Adamu s. Ladan
President Muhammad Buhari would commission the multi billion naira Dala International inland dry port at Zawachiki in Kumbotso local government area of Kano state on Monday.
The Port, Managing Director, Alhaji Ahmad Rabiu disclosed this Thursday at a news conference, in Kano ahead of the inauguration.
Rabiu said it is the first international inland dry port where cargoes will go anywhere in the world from Kano state without follow up to any sea ports across Nigeria.
He explained that the federal government under President Muhammad Buhari has given all the support required for the take off.
The Managing Director said the facility was built on 6 hectares land with a stacking area that has the capacity of containing 20 thousand unit of containers.
Explaining the derivables from the port, Alhaji Rabiu said with the facility henceforth imports and exports of goods will be processed from Kano. He said all requirements needed for clearance by business men including customs duty will be done right from Kano without follow up to any sea port in the country.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Dala Inland Dry Port, Alhaji Abubakar Sahabu Bawuro said the management of the port is technically and physically prepared to commence operation.
The chairman said the Port is now a solution to the myriad of problems associated with sea ports, adding that they will introduce cargo tracking and door to door delivery of goods and services.
He said the project was executed through joint venture between the state government, business community, regulatory agencies and Federal Government.
This is indeed another giant stride aimed at opening northern Nigeria for rapid development.
There are seven approved locations for dry ports, which were concessioned to private sector operators in the country. Their locations in Ibadan, Aba, Kano, Jos, Funtua, Maiduguri and Kaduna were aimed at decongesting the excessive traffic at Nigeria’s seaports in the south.
On January 4, 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned the Kaduna Inland Dry Port (KIDP); Nigeria’s pilot project in dry port operations with the aim of bringing maritime activities closer to the hinterland.
It should be recalled that the Federal Government had earlier declared Dala Inland Dry Port (DIDP) as port of origin for export of goods and final destination for goods brought into the country via the nation’s seaports.
The Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, while making the declaration in Kano on behalf of the Federal Government disclosed last year, that the epoch making event was granted approval by the Federal Executive Council in March, 2006, as part of the FG’s reform program to promote efficient transportation, decongest the seaports and bring shipping and ports services closer to importers and exporters.
According to Sambo, “In today’s new global economy, speed to the markets with finished goods, lower shipping costs are the main drivers more than ever before”, adding that the Dala IDP will facilitate this and more.
On why the project was located in Kano, Sambo said: “The importance of Kano State as the commercial capital of northern Nigeria with huge agricultural trade and export volume is well documented”.
Providing support, the Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Engr. Fidet Okhiria, said: “The Board of NRC has approved track access to any body or company wishing to provide the infrastructure, that is the rolling stock to operate on the track”. This, the Dala Inland Dry Port had already tapped into their premises.
The Chairman, Alhaji Bawuro disclosed that the narrow gauge from Lagos-Kano is fully connected to the facility. He however, said neighbouring countries importing through the sea ports can complete the second leg of the journey from Kano to Niger or other parts via road.
He also disclosed that Niger, Chad and Cameroun have already indicated the desire to use the facility, noting that the Dala IDP will further boost the trans-Saharan.
