Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Senate has directed the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, to carry out feasibility studies on the establishment of dry ports in the country.
This is coming after the Senate had called for urgent establishment of dry ports in Onitsha, Enugu, Aba, Maiduguri, Bauchi and states that are landlocked as a way of accelerating trade and industry.
The Senate was of the view that the feasibility studies earlier carried out on the projects should be revisited.
The Senate directed its Committees on Transport and Works to ensure that the directive is fully followed.
The decision of the Senate followed a motion by Senator Stella Oduah (PDP, Anambra North) on the ‘Need for the Establishment of Dry and Inland Ports at Onitsha, Enugu and other Land-locked States”.
Oduah had argued that establishment of the dry ports will help facilitate commercial and industrial activities, including export and importation of raw materials and equipment for land-locked states.
She said that present ports in Lagos, Calabar, Port Harcourt have been over-stretched, arguing that the situation has become a security risk to lives and property.
Following this, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki mandated the two committees to ensure that the federal government gives attention to the establishment of the dry ports in the areas that are land-locked.