The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has announced that the Presidency would inaugurate the country’s first Inland Dry Port in Kakuri, Kaduna state on Thursday.
According to the Director, Special Duties, NSC, Ignatius Nweke, the Dry Port was an inland intermodal terminal directly connected by road, rail and air to a sea port and operating as a centre for trans-shipment of sea cargo to inland destinations.
He said the port, which was built by Kaduna Inland Dry Port Limited, was among the seven being promoted by the Council.
He added that the Port has the capacity to handle 29,000 tonnes of cargoes yearly at the first phase of operation and likely to double when fully completed.
“It is also estimated to generate no fewer than 5,000 direct employment at the commencement of operations.
“The Kaduna Dry Port, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria, would receive cargo from Apapa Port in Lagos, through the railway or by road and also export goods through the same channel,” he said.
Nweke said what informed their decision to establish Inland Container Depots in the hinterland was to reduce the congestion in Lagos ports and provide relief for the busy Apapa road.
He assured that the port would provide an easy process for the exportation of farm produce from the Kaduna and neighboring states as well as landlocked countries.
