Kaduna state government yesterday commenced work on the upgrading and provision of critical infrastructures at the inland container terminal where the federal government has approved the establishment of a dry port to be managed by the Inland Containers Nigeria Limited (ICNL).
Speaking during the commencement of electrification project at the terminal, Kaduna state commissioner for rural and community development, Alhaji Abdullahi Ahmed, said the project will boost economic activities in Kaduna state as it will serve as both origin and destination point for cargoes.
“In an effort to properly position Kaduna state in the critical infrastructural development, the state government under the able leadership of Dr. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero has aligned itself with the transformation agenda of the federal government to enhance the socio-economic development of its citizens.”
“With the rehabilitation and resuscitation of railways linking Kaduna to other parts of the country, there is need to have a functional inland containers depot in the state as a means of bringing port and auxiliary services to the doorsteps of importers and exporters within and around Kaduna state.”
As part of the agreement reached with the federal government, Kaduna state government would provide critical infrastructures to the terminal including access roads, electricity and water supply.
The commissioner said Governor Yero has approved the upgrading of the inland container terminal to a dry port and has directed that the state should provide; extension of inter township connection (ITC) line, provision of 300KVA 11/0.415KV transformer substation, provision of 250KVA generator house and upgrade of security street lighting at the terminal.
“Contract for the electrification project has been awarded by the state government at a total cost of N100.9 million to Messrs Holdtech Distribution Services Limited at duration of eight weeks.
The Managing Director of ICNL, Alhaji Ismail Yusuf said the purpose of establishing the dry port is to ease the difficulties being faced by importers in going to Lagos or Port Harcourt to clear their goods.
He said when upgraded, the Kaduna terminal is to become a point of origin and destination and will serve as a major economic boost to importers, exporters, manufacturers and traders in the northern parts of the country.
On his part, the Kaduna state commissioner of commerce and industries, Joshua Shekarau Uchisa expressed optimism that the dry port has the potential of improving economic activities in the state as well as transform Kaduna into a major commercial hub for other states in the region.
