August 14, (THEWILL) – Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has said the Maiduguri Inland Dry Port will begin operations in six months.
Zulum made this known on Wednesday, in Lagos while addressing journalists after a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Pius Akutah.
The Governor expressed confidence that the establishment of the inland dry port will take many young people off the street by providing employment opportunities to many as well as boost the state’s economy.
He said, “Establishing the inland dry port in Maiduguri will bring many opportunities to the government and people of Borno state. It will generate employment, taking thousands of young children off the street. This is very important.
“Borno State shares a border with three countries, namely Niger, Chad and Cameroon. The inland dry port will enhance trans-border trade. This is what we are looking for. The relationship between our border countries will improve, the economy of the nation will grow very well, and our GDP will increase.
“We are trying to divert our attention from mono-economy, which is oil, by investing in other opportunities. I think Nigeria will be great soon. The Federal Government is working to ensure rail lines are rehabilitated under President Bola Tinubu’s initiatives. They are in the process of rehabilitating all the roads, and thousands of trucks are entering Maiduguri daily.”
Speaking further, the Governor noted that the “establishment of a good road system will fast track the process. Even in the absence of rail, the efficiency and effectiveness of the road transportation system are okay for now for the inland dry port. We expect the project to be ready in six months.”
On his part, the Executive Secretary of the NSC, Pius Akutah, noted that if established, the Maiduguri inland dry port will boost transborder trade, considering that Borno is bordering three countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
The NSC CEO said, “As the Governor has said, it is important for Borno State as a border town to these three countries to have an inland dry port. The benefits that will accompany such cannot be overemphasised.
“With the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in place, you cannot overemphasise the need to have this kind of critical infrastructure in a place like Maiduguri, Borno State that has a boundary with three countries within the area.
“I have been to Borno and I have seen the consistency of his Excellency in terms of his words and his passion for the development of Borno State.
“When he said six months, I believed him and I knew the work would be done. For instance, the transit park area the Excellency has developed has one of the critical infrastructures to even service the proposed IDP.
“Now, what needs to be done is for those involved to look at the political will of His Excellency to see how they can quickly agree among themselves for the project to become a reality
“This is business and the initiative is not for the government to drive the day-to-day running of the inland dry port. It is a public-private dimension and therefore, private sector driven. So, the two entities involved should come together and fast track the process of harmonising and agreeing among themselves.”
I am Ladi Dapson, a general writer with thewill. I cover Borno and Yobe states respectively.
I based Maiduguri, Borno State Capital.
I can be reached via [email protected].
Very high and kind regards!
