Nigeria's first ‘Dry Port’ comes on line
The dry port is an inland intermodal terminal directly connected by road, rail and air to a sea port, and will operate as a centre for trans-shipment of sea cargo to inland destinations. According to the Director, Special Duties, of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Ignatius Nweke, the port, built by the Kaduna Inland Dry Port Limited, is among the seven dry ports being promoted by the Council.
According to an allafrica.com article, the port has the capacity to handle 29,000 tonnes of cargo yearly in the first phase of operation, which is likely to double when fully completed. Nweke explained that the idea to establish the Inland Container Depots(ICDs), in the hinterland was informed by the need to reduce the congestion in Lagos ports, and provide relief for the busy Apapa road. The port should provide an easy process for the export of farm produce from Kaduna and neighbouring states, as well as landlocked countries.
Kaduna State is the largest producer of ginger in Nigeria, and it is expected that the market for Kaduna ginger will improve tremendously once the dry port becomes operational.
