…Says most shipping companies yet to ‘recognise’ port
The General Manager of the Kaduna Inland Dry Port, Rotimi Hassan-Raimi, yesterday revealed that the port has not become fully operational, three years after it was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to Hassan-Raimi, who spoke in Abuja during the interactive session organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Customs, the railway services needed by the port were not efficient enough.
He stated that most shipping companies were yet to recognise the inland dry port, hence, “they seldom give the bill of laden for cargoes destined for it.”
President Buhari had commissioned the port in 2018 and promised it would help decongest the port in Lagos. However, since then we have not been able to fully commence operation.
Hassan-Raimi said the port will need five locomotives and 100 wagons to ensure full operation.
He also harped on the need for incentives to be given to shippers to bring cargo to Kaduna instead of taking it to Lagos and other seaports in the south.
Also speaking on challenges facing the Onne Port, the General Manager, West Africa Container Terminal, Ogbuji Innocent, said the road leading to the Onne port was in a bad condition and that it was affecting the flow of traffic at the port.
