The management of Atlantique Marine and Engineering Services Ltd (AMES) on Wednesday said it has received Federal Government’s approval to commence operation of the inland dry port in Edo as a port of origin and final destination.
Charles Akhigbe, managing director of AMES Edo Inland Dry Port, said the approval granted in October would stimulate major investors to invest their money on the project.
Akhigbe, who made this known in an interview with BusinessDay in Benin City, added that the approval granted was to begin operation to accelerate socio-economic transformation of Edo State, South-South, South East, and North Central geopolitical zones.
While noting that plans are in place for commencement, he explained that the port had entered into agreement with Farmers Oasis and Free On Board international logistics to start dedicated export warehouses.
He further said that the warehouse would serve as a processing and packaging for exporting a minimum of 100 tonnes daily.
Akhigbe, who said the project aligns with FG’s desire to significantly decongest Lagos sea port, added that it would create unique opportunity for agricultural produce exports and employment opportunities for over 5,000 persons.
The Managing Director, who noted that the port capacity is 20, 000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU), disclosed that the management of the dry port was expecting the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council(NEPC), Segun Awolowo to visit and inspect the facility for zero export dedicated warehouse, before it commences exports.
“What the approval means is that the dry port is good to go ahead and commence operation while using the FG approval to attract local and foreign investors to come in and take up equity, invest funds to conclude the port development and bring in technical expertise to the dry port development
“The FG provided the approval so that investors will have more confidence to invest funds in the dry port.
“One of the advantages why an inland dry port is important is that, shippers and industrialists absolutely do not have to come to Lagos anymore, it becomes the responsibility of the freight forwarders and the shippers.
“It is their responsibility to bring the containers inland through whatever inter-nodal means they choose; it maybe by sea, road or rail’’, he said.
