Kano to spend N2.3bn on dry port

Kano State Government is to spend N2.3bn on the development of Dala Inland Dry Port, the state governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has said.

The governor, who stated this in Lagos on Friday during a visit to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, disclosed that the amount would be largely utilized to develop infrastructure such as access roads to the location of the dry port, water and electricity.

He said the money was for the development of the first phase of the port expected to boost the economy of the state.

He said, “The reason why we are here is to create a synergy between the shippers’ council and other stakeholders to ensure that the inland dry port in Kano is actualised.

“For more than 10 years this project was initiated in Kano but there was no enabling environment to make sure it was actualised. With the coming of our administration, we are committed to seeing that the dry inland port is a reality.

“For phase one of it, we have committed N2.3bn to provide access roads, electricity, water to the site. We are ready for the take-off of this very important project. We are here to show the shippers’ council that Kano state has come of age as far as the dry port is concerned.

“The inland dry port is not only serving the Kano people, but it is also serving the northern part of this country, West African countries like the Republic of Niger and it is serving the Republic of Chad and the northern part of Cameroon. Import is made easy as well as export. Kano has come of age.”

The governor also called on the council to ensure that inland dry port was linked with the railway network and stressed the need for effective collaboration between shippers and shipping lines.