Tinubu Billed To Commission Funtua Inland Dry Port Thursday

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

President Ahmed Bola Tinubu will on Thursday, May 9, 2024 commissioned the Funtua Inland Dry Port located in Funtua, Katsina State.

NSC ES Barr. Akutah

Giving an insight into the upcoming programme, official promoter of the Inland Dry Ports (IDP) initiative, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) said the Funtua IDP among other economic benefits will bring shipping and port services closer to the importers and exporters at the hinterland.

The development according to NSC Executive Secretary/CEO, Barr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah, MON, will decongest the seaports, create job opportunities, improve the accrual of revenue to the federation account.

A statement by Rebecca Adamu, NSC Assistant Director, Public Relations, the commissioning will take place at 11am. The statement reads:

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has concluded plans to officially commission the much anticipated Funtua Inland Dry Port on Tuesday, 9th May, 2024 in Katsina State.

“The Funtua Inland Dry Port will be commissioned by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR at Funtua IDP Project Site, Katsina State. by 11: 00 a.m. prompt.

“The Commissioning Ceremony will feature key dignitaries, government officials and industry stakeholders. This significant milestone, marks a pivotal moment of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s commitment in facilitating trade in Nigeria. It is also in line with the performance bond signed by the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON.

“It is worthy to note that, this initiative is part of Council’s Key Performance Indicator (KPI) to deliver the Funtua Inland Dry Port Project before the end of the 1st Quarter, 2024.”

The statement quoted the Executive Secretary/CEO of the NSC, Barr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah, MON, as saying “the establishment of the Inland Dry Ports being promoted by the Council will among other things  bring shipping and port services closer to the importers and exporters at the hinterland, decongest the Seaports, create job opportunities, improve and accrue huge revenue to the Government, etc.”

Recall that in February, 2023, the Federal Government under the Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR led administration declared Funtua IDP as a Port of Origin and Destination which paved the way for importers and exporters to officially consign their cargo from Funtua to any part of the world.

This is the third in the series by the Federal Government to commission the Inland Dry Ports in the nation. The first was the commissioning of Kaduna Inland Dry Port in 2018 and Dala Inland Dry Port in 2023 respectively.