Ogun State government is promoting the Kajola Inland Dry Port project to strengthen rail lines across the country, Governor Dapo Abiodun said said yeasterday.
Besides, he said the the ambitious project in alignment with the Federal Government’s initiative will take pressure off the Apapa and Tin Can ports by making the clearance of raw materials seamless.
The governor spoke while receiving the Outlined Business Case and Compliance Certificate for the Development and Operation of the port from a delegation of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC).
The Council lauded the governor for establishing the dry port, saying that his vision underscored the collective dedication to improving Nigeria’s trade and logistics infrastructure, as it would play a vital role in national transformation.
Receiving the delegation led by its Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Pius Akutah, in Abeokuta, Prince Abiodun said: “Ogun State has a lot of federal roads that traverse the North, East, and other parts of the country, which explains why many manufacturers have found us a convenient location to set up their concerns.
Read Also: Uba Sani and the ‘Kaduna Model’ of tackling insecurity, banditry and kidnapping
“We have the advantage of proximity to Lagos, Nigeria’s busiest seaports and airport. We also have the advantage of extensive gas reticulation in terms of pipelines, which allows for energy and gas to power industries.
“These two factors have made us the industrial capital, and naturally, you will find that a lot of raw materials are coming in by sea, and once processed, they are coming in through Lagos to our state.
“This initiative is supported by the strong case that if we were able to establish an Inland Port here, it would align with the federal government’s initiative of strengthening the rail line since this line connects Lagos to Ogun, Oyo, Osun, and Ondo states.
“The volume of traffic at Tincan and Apapa seaports is overwhelming, and these ports have become extremely inefficient as containers remain there for upwards of 30-60 days, accruing demurrage. By the time they are cleared and brought down to our state, a lot of demurrage and added costs have been incurred.
“In a strong business case, we say if we set up the Inland Dry Port, when the containers arrive, they don’t need to be cleared in Lagos; they will be put onto trains, and all the processes will be done here. This means that containers destined for Oyo, Osun, and Ondo states will be cleared here.
He stated that his administration would cooperate and work with the Shippers’ Council for the benefit of all.
The NSC Executive Secretary/CEO (Akutah) said the visit to the governor marked a robust and high level of collaboration between the state and the federal government on the milestones that the State had recorded through the establishment of the Inland Dry Port.
He noted that the dry port underscored the collective dedication to improving Nigeria’s trade and logistics infrastructure.
Akutah said: “One of the significant aspects of today’s event is that it gives us an opportunity to look at the milestones you have achieved so far and also set a timeline within which we can move on with the critical transport infrastructure that is being developed here.
“Today, we are looking at ways in which we can partner with different state governments not only in terms of developing inland ports but also goods transport parks. We are considering issues of connectivity and the movement of cargo across the hinterland, not only in Nigeria but across Africa, since we are within the African Trade and Continental Free Trade Agreement Area where we are hoping that goods and services will move across Africa.”
Akutah said the provision of a good road network, the construction of an airport, and a conducive business environment had led to the influx of companies to the state, signaling the industrial revolution in the country.
“Your Excellency, we believe that the industrial revolution in Nigeria has already commenced in Ogun State under your watch, and we are very grateful for what you are doing.
“All the transport infrastructure you are developing, including the cargo airport which is at an advanced stage to commence operations, complements the efforts of Mr. President in terms of the industrial revolution in Nigeria, and this is quite commendable.
“We are also grateful to Your Excellency for the transit area which we are working together with our partners to develop in your State and also the land—a 20-hectare plot of land—which you graciously have provided to us to develop into a vehicle transit area.”