ZAINAB JUNAID
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, has lauded efforts of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC), Katsina State Government, Management of Funtua Inland Dry Port and other stakeholders for the pivotal role played in making the completion of the long-awaited Port Project a reality.
Speaking at the official commissioning of the project in Funtua, Katsina State, on Thursday May 9, 2024, President Tinubu who was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, GCON, said Funtua Inland Dry Port is strategically positioned to serve not only Katsina State but also the neighboring countries like Chad and Niger Republic.
According to him, Funtua Port makes it the third to be completed and commissioned among the six legacy Inland Dry Port projects spread across the nation’s six geo-political zones.
“This Port offers importers the convenience of processing cargo clearance and receiving raw materials and machinery closer to their places of business. For exporters, it provides essential facilities for processing, packaging, consolidating, and forwarding exports worldwide. This infrastructure is integral to our Administration’s commitment to promoting export business across Nigeria, thereby achieving trade balance and creating employment opportunities for our youths”.
He added the dry port project was in line with the renewed hope agenda of the present administration and also called on the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to ensure all other designated dry port locations are completed.
Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola noted that the dry port project was designed to decongest the seaports and bring shipping services to the hinterlands.
The minister said that the dry port project’s initiative will promote the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and create an enabling environment for businesses to strive in the Northern regions.
The Executive Governor of Katsina State, His Excellency, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, in his goodwill message said his administration is determined to make Katsina State an investment haven.
According to him, the dry port project is a transport infrastructure project which is seamless and will facilitate movement of goods.
He called on the agencies that would be working at the Funtua Inland Dry Port to exhibit understanding and professionalism in their operations.
On his part, Chairman, Funtua Inland Dry Port, Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Abdul Mutallab, expressed profound appreciation to the dignitaries present at the official commissioning of the Funtua Inland Dry Port project.
According to him, in 2006 Nigerian Shippers’ Council identified Funtua as a viable place for the establishment of dry port project in Katsina State through Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) arrangement and appreciated those behind the success of the dry port project in the state.
In his vote of thanks, the Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Pius Akutah, MON, said the dry port will contribute immensely to the economic growth of the state and the country at large.
He assured them of the Council’s continued support to the Funtua Inland Dry Port operations saying “It will continue to give necessary assistance where needed in area of complaints and finding solutions”.
