Hassan Bello, ES/CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council says that the new Dala Inland Dry Port which is set to commence soon will boost trade viability in the country.

The Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr Hassan Bello, disclosed this during the presentation of the reviewed full business reports for Dala Inland Dry Port.

Bello also noted that the construction of 284 km at 1.96 bilion dollars which cross-border Kano – Katsina – Jibia – Maradi rail line would be integrated into the project.

He said that Lagos – Kano Standard Gauge Railway would be in alignment with the Dala Inland Dry Port, adding that report from the project has been shown it to be viable.

“The volume forecast is expected to be between 64,000 TEU (Low case) per annum throughput and 147, 000 TEU (High case) per annum throughput once it reaches its full market potential after three years of operation in 2026”.

According to him, the market share analysis for the Dala Inland Dry Port has been limited to Kano State (40 per cent market share; the primary market) and surrounding states such as Bauchi, Katsina, Kaduna and Jigawa 15 per cent market share; the secondary markets.

He further said that “the new Kano – Katsina – Maradi Rail line is expected to increase patronage from Republic Of Niger.”

This optimism, he said, was attributed to increasing growing population, saying that Nigeria will pass the 206 million population mark and the economy is expected to shrink by 4.3 per cent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“But during 2021-2025, the economy is expected to increase annually by 2.5 per cent, impetus increasingly being accorded to multimodal transportation particularly Standard Gauge Railway construction from Lagos to Kano,” he said.

He, however, said that the council had commenced consultation with different multi-lateral funding institutions particularly Afrexim Bank to assist investors access long-term funding for the construction of Dry Port in the country.

He also appreciated Kano State Government for its support to the project through the provision of land and other necessary facilities.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Dala Inland Dry Port, Alhaji Abubakar Bawuro, said that hopefully the Dry Port would commence operation in July as some of the infrastructure would be completed by June.

Bawuro, therefore, said that the report was very imperative as it would give direction to the activities of the dry inland port.

He said that those operating and grounding business in other countries would not have to bother to relate to the sea port again rather “they can now discharge their goods and cargo in our dry port.

“And then relate with us very close to home before relating to Lagos, Port Harcourt or Calabar once the report is implemented,” he said.

Recall that Dala Inland Dry Port on Aug. 11, 2020 signed an agreement with Private Public Partnership advisories to conduct the assignment with sub-consultants maritime transport solution (MTBS).

(NAN)