Billions of Naira Dry Ports Remain Unused in Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Katsina


Several years after the approval and commencement of the Dry Inland Ports throughout the country, most of them are still not operating at full capacity.

According to LEADERSHIP Weekend’s findings, the ports are lying unused in states and communities where billions of Naira has been spent to provide facilities meant to support exports.

Investigations show that in many of these communities, the young people who were promised thousands of jobs still hold onto hope that these jobs will materialize.

State governments in Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Borno, Plateau, and Oyo made thousands of hectares of land available to the federal government. However, due to poor planning and a lack of coordination between the Ministry of Transport, successive state governments, and relevant agencies, the ports remain inoperable.

In March 2006, the Federal Executive Council granted approval for the establishment of Inland Dry Ports at six locations across the country: Isiala- Ngwa- Abia State; Erunmu Ibadan – Oyo State; Heipang Jos – Plateau State; Funtua- Katsina State; Maiduguri – Borno State; and Dala, Kano State.

Furthermore, in 2018, the Kaduna Inland Dry Port Limited was commissioned by the federal government as the first port of origin for export and port of destination for imports for landlocked neighboring countries such as Niger Republic and Chad, among others.

Unfortunately, the Kaduna Dry Inland Port has been operating at a minimal level due to the non-completion of rail line projects that are necessary for the transportation of containers from seaports to the dry land.

A visit to the Kaduna Inland Dry Port reveals that only a few trucks load goods from seaports and offload them at the dry port each day.

An official of the Kaduna Dry Inland Port explained, “We are not operating fully as we are supposed to be. In a day, only ten or fifteen trucks load goods from seaports in Lagos and bring them to this port for onward movement to the far northern states.”

In an interview, the general manager of Kaduna Inland Dry Port, Rotimi Raimi-Hassan, lamented the lack of rail lines connecting the dry port, stating that it is the main challenge facing the operations of the port.

He identified other major challenges, such as customs issues and the need for political will to support dry port operations in the country.

Similarly, in Plateau State, the Jos Inland Container Depot (JICD) in Heipang, which was inaugurated 17 years ago, is yet to commence operation. The depot is expected to create over 5,000 jobs when fully operational.

In Katsina State, the Funtua Inland Dry Port has not been in operation since its declaration as a port of origin and final destination for the import and export of cargoes.

In Kano, the Dala Inland Dry Port, declared as a port of origin for export and final destination for goods brought into the country, also faces challenges due to the lack of connection to rail systems.

Efforts should be made to address these challenges and ensure that these dry ports operate effectively, as they have the potential to boost the export capacity of the country, support job creation, and facilitate trade within and outside Nigeria.

 

Kano-Maradi Rail Line Contractor Evacuates $200m Construction Equipment From Lagos Port

Meanwhile, Mota-Engil has moved equipment worth $200 million for the construction of the $2 billion Kano-Maradi Rail line from the Port and Cargo Terminals in Lagos.

The construction equipment, which arrived in Lagos during the week, is a strategic investment for the present and future development of railway infrastructure in Nigeria and West Africa.

This equipment includes wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, crawler excavators, medium lift and heavy lift machinery, truck-mounted concrete pumps, concrete mixer trucks, telehandlers, motor graders, vibratory soil compactors, pneumatic rollers, mobile cranes, tipper trucks, among others.

The Customs controller of Tin Can Island Command, Adekunle Oloyede, expressed his delight at the size of the import, stating that it is evidence of the rebounding Nigerian economy.

MOTA-ENGIL is also involved in various other major projects in Nigeria, including the construction of railway lines and expressways.

In collaboration with Shoreline Group, a Nigerian conglomerate, Mota-Engil established Mota-Engil Nigeria to contribute to the development of infrastructure in Nigeria.