By Innocent Orok
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council ( NSC), Barrister Akutah Pius has reassured stakeholders that the Heipang Inland Dry Port in Jos, Plateau State would soon become a reality.
Akutah who gave the assurance in Jos, Plateau State also disclosed that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has officially launched the operational manual for the Inland Dry Ports project in Jos.
Addressing stakeholders at the sensitization and official launching of the manual in Jos, Plateau State, on Wednesday , Pius said that the Council has played a pivotal role in ensuring the development of Inland Dry Ports across the designated locations in the country.
The NSC, CEO who was represented by Mrs Ify Okolue, Director Inland Transport Services, NSC, affirmed that the Heipang Inland Dry Port is one of the dry port projects being facilitated by the Council to bring shipping facilities to the shippers in the hinterlands, create employment opportunities for citizens and accrue substantial revenue to the government. He expressed optimism that with the conceited effort of the host State government and key players, the Jos Inland Dry Port project would soon become a reality.
According to him, the Jos Inland Dry Port is strategically located to serve not only the host state, but the neighbouring states in the North Central Zone. He stressed that the Plateau State Investment & Property Development Company have acquired Jos Inland Dry Port from Duncan Maritime Services Ltd in 2022, noting that with the new development, the new concessionaire and the host State Government would drive the project.
In his address, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Murtfwang described the launching of the Inland Dry Port as a milestone considering the economic potential of the State . He was represented by the Commissioner of Budget & Economic Planning, Hon. Shrysantus Dawan.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Commerce, Hon. Musa Sule described Nigerian Shipper’s Council as a key partner in the development of Inland Dry Port project in the State. He said Plateau State is planning to build an international market which requires the establishment of Inland Dry port project.
The Coordinator, North Central Zone of the NSC, Alhaji Ahmed Umar Yazzar said the launching of the operational manual by the Council is to adequately guide the stakeholders and operators on how best to use the Inland Dry Ports project nationwide. He called on the stakeholders to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Council through the dry port project.
The Managing Director/ CEO, Plateau State Investment & Property Development Company, Mr. Silas Liman, said that the development of the Inland Dry Port project is crucial to the state because of the existence of mining and mineral resources. He expressed their readiness to partner with private sectors towards actualizing dry port project in the State.
In his submission, the former Director, Legal Services of the Council, Mr. Samuel Vongtau, noted that the dry port project is something that should not be taken with levity and urged the government to pay more attention to the development of the dry port project in Plateau State.
In an interview with the President, Plateau State Shippers Association, Hajia Aisa Bashir, she described the launching of the Operational Manual of the Inland Dry Ports as a welcome development.
Hajia Bashir expressed the association’s readiness to ensure that the shippers are enlightened on the operational manual of the dry port.
The Chairman,Heipang Jos Inland Dry Port Resuscitation Committee, Isha Agwom Nyam called on the Federal Government to ensure rail connectivity to Heipang Inland Dry Port for the movement of agricultural products. According to hm, the rail linkage to port will assist to reduce the cost of transportation.
Also, Mr Mike Ukachi Nwanoshiri, a former President of Plateau State Shippers Association wants the Federal government, the host state and other key players to work assiduously to make the port a reality in Plateau State.
