Zulum Optimistic Dry Inland Port Will Start Operations In Maiduguri In Six Months

Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum has stated that the Maiduguri dry inland port will be operational in six months.

Zulum made the announcement on Wednesday in Lagos while speaking to journalists following a courtesy call to Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council.

The Governor expressed confidence that the establishment of the NSC would not only provide job opportunities for young people, but would also benefit the state economy.

He stated, “The establishment of the inland dry port in Maiduguri will provide numerous opportunities for the government and people of Borno State. It will create jobs, taking thousands of young children off the streets. This is extremely important.

Zulum added that Borno State shares borders with three countries: Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. The inland dry port will facilitate cross-border trade. This is what we are looking for. The relationship between our border countries will improve, the national economy will grow rapidly, and our GDP will increase.

He also stated, “We are trying to divert our attention away from the mono-economy of oil by investing in other opportunities. “I believe Nigeria will be great soon.”

The Governor stated, “The Federal Government is working to ensure rail lines are rehabilitated as part of President Bola Tinubu’s initiatives.” They are in the process of rehabilitating all roads, and thousands of trucks enter Maiduguri every day.

He did, however, state that “establishing a good road system will speed up the process.” Even without rail, the inland dry port’s road transportation system is currently efficient and effective.We anticipate that the project will be completed within six months.

Pius Akutah, the Executive Secretary of NSC, stated that if established, the Maiduguri Dry Inland Port would boost transborder trade, given that Borno is bordered by three countries: Cameroon, Char, and the Niger Republic.

The NSC CEO stated, “As the Governor has stated, it is critical for Borno State, as a border town to these three countries, to have an inland dry port. The benefits cannot be overstated.

“With the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in place, it is impossible to overstate the importance of having this type of critical infrastructure in a place like Maiduguri, Borno State, which shares borders with three countries in the region.

“I have been to Borno, and I have seen his Excellency’s consistency in his words and his commitment to the development of Borno State.

“When he said six months, I believed him and knew the work would be completed. For example, the transit park area developed by the Excellency contains one of the critical infrastructures required to service the proposed IDP.

“Now, what needs to be done is for those involved to look at His Excellency’s political will and see how they can quickly agree among themselves to make the project a reality.

“This is business, and the initiative does not call for the government to oversee the day-to-day operations of the inland dry port. It is a public-private dimension, so it is driven by the private sector. So the two parties involved should work together to expedite the process of harmonising and reaching an agreement.”