Posted on August 26, 2024
The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has said that the inland dry port that will soon be established in the state capital, Maiduguri will be ready in six months’ time.
Speaking recently to newsmen in Lagos when he paid the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) a courtesy visit, Governor Zulum said that the inland dry port will take away many young people off the streets by providing employment opportunities to many.
According to Governor Zulum, “I want to assure you of the speedily process of establishing an inland dry port in Maiduguri.
“Establishing the inland dry port in Maiduguri will bring a lot of opportunities to the government and people of Borno state. It will create employment generation, which will take away thousands of young children off the street. This is very important.
“Borno State shares 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 be enhanced and 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. We expect the project to be ready in six months.”
Also speaking during the visit, the Executive Secretary, NSC, Pius Akutah said that the establishment of an inland dry port in Borno will boost Nigeria’s trade with Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
In the words of the NSC boss, “Like 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 overemphasized.
“With the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in place, you cannot overemphasize the need to have this kind of critical infrastructure in a place like Maiduguri, Borno State that has boundary with three countries within the area.
“I have been to Borno State and I have seen the consistency of His Excellency in terms of his words and his passion for development of Borno State.
“When he said six months, I believe him and I know the work will be done. For instance, the transit park area His 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.”
