President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned Funtua Inland Dry Port project in Funtua, Katsina State.
He was represented at the official commissioning of the Funtua Inland Dry Port by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, on Thursday.
In his welcome address, the President lauded the State Government, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council ( NSC), management of Funtua Inland Dry Port and other stakeholders for the pivotal role they have played that made the project a reality.
The President said Funtua Inland Dry Port is strategically positioned to serve not only the Katsina State but also the neighboring countries like Chad and Niger Republic, adding that the dry port project project was in line with the renewed hope agenda of the present administration.
He called on the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to ensure that the other designated dry port locations are completed .
The Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola said the dry port project was designed to decongest the seaports and bring shipping services to the hinterlands.
The minister said that the dry port project’s initiative will promote the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and create an enabling environment for businesses to strive in the Northern regions.
In his good will message, the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, said his administration is determined to make the Katsina State an investment haven.
According to him, the dry port project is a transport infrastructure project which is seamless and will facilitate the movement of goods.
He called on the agencies that would be working at the Funtua Inland Dry Port to exhibit understanding and professionalism in their operations.
The Chairman, Funtua Inland Dry Port, Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Abdul Mutallab, expressed profound appreciation to the dignitaries present at the official commissioning of the Funtua Inland Dry Port project.
According to him, in 2006 Nigerian Shippers’ Council identified Funtua as a viable place for the establishment of dry port project in Katsina State through Build Ownv Operate and Transfer (BOOT) arrangement and appreciated those behind the success of the dry port project in the state.
In his vote of thanks, the Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Pius Akutah, MON, said that the port will contribute immensely to the economic growth of the state and the country at large.
He gave pointed out that the Council will continue to support the operations of the Funtua Inland Dry Port and also gave the assistance of the staff to attend to their complaints and help in resolving them.
