By Moses Ebosele, ebosele@hotmail.com
The Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Heipang, Jos, Plateau State is set to get a new investor following the buyout of the Duncan Maritime Ventures, the concessionaire of the project.
Addressing stakeholders in Lagos , Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Hassan Bello, who was represented by the Director Inland Transport Services, Mr. Akintunde Makinde, explained that the meeting was a directive from the Federal Government and mandate given by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amechi “that all Inland Container Depot Projects (ICD) in the country must be completed and commissioned as soon as possible”.
According to him, the Council promotes and facilitates the establishment of Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Nigeria on the basis of Public Private Partnership (PPP).
He explained that the ICD are designed to bring shipping services to the door step of shippers, assist in decongesting the seaport and revive and modernize the railway.
One of the representatives of the Plateau State Government, Mr. Ezekiel Gomos, said the State Government is enthusiastic about the project and the opportunities the ICD will bring for the economic development of its people.
Engr. David J. Wuyep, stated that the Plateau State Government seeks joint collaboration to make ICD functional, adding that, as a State, they are ready and prepare as the issues of insecurity has being tackled.
In view of this, a statement quoted the Managing Director of Duncan Maritime Ltd, Mr. Bartho Nyelong, as saying their inability to bring about implementation of the project was due to certain challenges.
