The Executive Secretary /Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hassan Bello has commended stakeholders’ commitment to the actualization of Ibadan Inland Dry Port.
Reacting to ongoing meetings and negotiations, Bello said all parties expressed firm commitment to the actualization of the project.
A statement issued on Friday by NSC Head, Public Relations, Rakiya Zubairu explained that ongoing negotiations between the Federal Government and CRCC, the preferred bidders for the construction of the Inland Dry Port will be concluded soon.
According to the statement, NSC is guarantor to the concession, “80,000 TEU capacity dry port to be built on the basis of Public Private Partnership agreement in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital”..
The statement explained that on completion, the facility will be designated a port of destination where cargo will be consolidated for import and export, especially in the South-Western part of Nigeria.
The statement added: “Among other uses, the dry port will provide a competitive cargo sorting centre, bulk breaking as well as cargo-tracking and truck management services.
Also, the project, which has been estimated at US$94,000,000.00 (N43,240,000,000.00), will boost employment opportunities the South West especially Oyo State.
The statement added: “The Lagos-Kano standard gauge railway currently under construction is aligned to the proposed dry port, making it easy to convey cargo from the seaports in Lagos and to all destinations along the route.
“The negotiations emphasised the utilisation of local content at each stage of development and operation of the facility.
“An Updated Full Business Case Compliance report will be produced. A draft agreement will be presented to the Federal Ministry of Justice and sent to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, for vetting, after which the Minister of Transportation will present the agreement to the Federal Executive Council.
“The concessionaire will then be taken to the site for sod-turning. It is expected that construction will commence immediately after the ceremony. The time-line for completion is twelve months.
“The negotiation was moderated by the Federal Ministry Of Transportation led by the acting Permanent Secretary and the Director, Maritime Services, Auwalu Suleiman, the Director-General of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, Engr. Chidi Izuwa.
“Amb. Jummai Katagum who represented the Federal Ministry of Finance was also part of the 4-day negotiation.
“Also present was Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, Secretary to Government of Oyo State. The preferred bidder CRCC was led by Deputy Managing Director, Jacques Liao.
“Facilitation of the meeting was enabled by the transaction advisors, Aminu Dikko and Mohammed Kumalia”.
