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Industry stakeholders, who spoke on the recent milestones recorded by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in its efforts to promote the establishment of Inland Container Depots (ICDs), known as dry ports in six geo-political zones in the country, has commended the Council.
According to them, the ICD projects would not only help in bringing port operations close to businesses located in the hinterlands, but would also help to ease congestion in the seaports that are originally known to be transit point.
The Council was also commended for perfecting plans to build truck transit parks in major highways that include Ogboloafor in Enugu State and another location in Kogi State.
Chekwas Oko l i , renowned Customs’ broker, who said that both the ICD and truck park projects will facilitate trade, also described them as a continuation of the port reform process that aims at adding value to the economy by facilitate ease of doing business at the port.
Okoli, who mentioned that a good number of the private concessionaires have shown commitment to the projects following the Council’s order that they should commit to the dry port projects or lose their licenses.
“Some concessionaires have started developing their ICDs like Jos and Kaduna, and in the next few months, some of them would be looking forward to obtaining the Port of Origin status. The status will boost the ICDs by allowing it to compete internationally, and create jobs for Nigerians. The ICDs will boost the economies of the states and that of the host communities,” he said.
Ikedi Okwosa, another Customs broker, who also commended the Council, said that when fully functional, the ICDs and truck parks will end the nightmare of shippers who had over decades relied on Lagos and other seaports for their
cargos meant for different places in the country.
“The IDCs are coming at a good time when the Federal Government is committed to revitalising the rail system. Therefore, the goods are expected to be conveyed by rail to the ICDs for ease of movement and cost saving.”
Okwosa, further noted that moving the cargoes by rail to the ICDs will end the risks and losses shippers in different parts of the country have been facing over the years while transporting their goods from the seaports to their final destination, added that many shippers have had to lose their goods due to accidents or armed robbery attack on the way.
On the truck park, Okwosa noted that the idea of setting up the truck parks is to help create a place of rest for drivers who have been on the road for hours especially when it is getting too late to get to their destination.
“It will also help to check accidents as the driver can refresh and rest before continuing the journey.
Recall that Hassan Bello, the executive secretary of the Council, had late last year warned ICD concessionaries
to show more commitment in the development of the projects. Bello said the officials of the Council would be sent out to monitor the progress on the ICDS, even as he assured that those who have met the required standards will be issued with Port of Origin status.
“The private sector must show some responsibility because we have a new time lines that we must act accordingly. We are now having a new agreement with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
