… Akutah says IDP will enhance the nation’s economy aside increasing the GDP
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has pledged to build an inland dry port (IDP) in the state within six months.
The governor pledged on Wednesday during his visit to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Headquarters in Lagos.
Restating the commitment of the State Government to complete the dry port, Zulum assured the Nigerian Shippers’ Council of the speedy process of establishing it in Maiduguri.
According to the governor, the establishment of the inland dry port in Maiduguri would bring opportunities to the Federal Government and the people of Borno State.
“The dry ports when completed will bring about employment generation, which will take away thousands of young children off the street, this is very important”, Governor Zulum stated, stressing his vision to take several youths off the streets, through fruitful engagement.
His words: “One employment generation, which will take away thousands of young children off the street, this is important.
“The establishment of IDP will enhance transborder trade, it will also enhance relationship with our border countries.
“The IDP will enhance the economy of the nation and also increase the nation’s GDP.
“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 Governor lauded President Tinubu’s initiatives in the process of rehabilitating all the roads which enable thousands of trucks entering into Maiduguri on a daily basis.
He noted that the establishment of a road system would fast-track the process of the IDP in the absence of rail, adding that efficient and effective road transportation systems were in place.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary, NSC, Barr. Pius Akutah said it was important for Borno State to establish an IDP given its location bordering three West African countries such as Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
He said that Nigeria had established International trade with African countries under the African Continental Free Trade Zone Agreement, AfCFTA, through which Nigeria opened its borders to the whole of Africa into one market.
The NSC pointed out that the Federal Government had been emphasizing the need for critical infrastructure in places like Maiduguri, Borno State which has boundaries with three countries.
He stated that he had been to Borno and had seen the consistency of His Excellency, adding that he believed him when he said the project would be ready in six months.
“This is business and the initiative is not for government to drive the day-to-day running of this inland dry port but is a public-private dimension and therefore, private sector is driven”
He noted that Governor Zulum had already developed critical infrastructure of the transit park area which made the IDP project mind-blowing.
“Now what needs to be done is for the two entities to look at the political will that His Excellency has brought to the table to see how they can quickly agree among themselves.
“This is business and the initiative is not for the government to drive the day-to-day running of this inland dry port but is a public-private dimension and therefore, private sector driven.
“So the two entities should come together and fast track the process of harmonizing and agree among themselves. So His Excellency can be able to achieve the speedy establishment of the IDP,” He said.
Akutah disclosed that President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, had compelled the council to ensure the quick establishment of IDPs across the country.
