The federal government will soon establish dry ports, also known as Inland Container Depots, ICDs, in the country to create jobs for unemployed youths and diversify the economy.
Rotimi Amaechi, minister of Transportation, said this on Tuesday during the final inspection of the Kaduna Inland Dry Port. “We are doing everything possible to create jobs. Whatever we need to do to get the port running, we will do it. The rail will soon start running before the end of the year, which will be used to deliver goods at the port,” said the minister.
According to him, everything is set for commissioning, “because we have the land, warehouse and all but we want to wait for the completion of the roads. We want to wait for more activities in the dry port before we get the president to commission it. I have visited Jos and they are doing a good job and they promised to be ready by June. I have visited Kaduna and what I have seen is commendable,” intoned Amaechi.
He praised the Kaduna State government for its contribution and support for the project, which he said was appreciated.
Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna State, said the state government would provide the necessary infrastructure needed to implement the initiative. He promised that the government would repair the roads leading to the port and create more exits to avoid the congestion being experienced at the Apapa port.
“We inherited this project from the previous administration and we thought it was a project worthy of our support and we did everything we could to make sure it works. We tried to do whatever we could to ensure that the infrastructure that is required to make the project a reality is done,” said the governor.
Hassan Bello, executive secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, appreciated the state government and the federal government for their support for the project. He said that among all states where inland dry port was located, Kaduna gave the highest support in ensuring that the project was completed.
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