By Godwin Oritse

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, Mr Hassan Bello, has said that the proposed Inland Dry Ports, IDPs, will permanently take care of congestions at the seaports when completed and operational and enhance the nation’s cargo handling capacity.

Speaking to newsmen in Ibadan during an inspection tour of the proposed IDP on Oyo State, Bello said that the perennial congestions at the ports will come to an end the moment these dry ports are completed.

He disclosed that a total of 90 hectares of land has been earmarked for the project adding that 40 hectares of land will be used for the dry port while the remaining 50 hectares will be used for Transit Truck Park and Industrial park.

He further disclosed that the employment content of the project will be 3,000 direct employment and about 2million indirect employment while the construction time will be about eighteen months.

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He stated: “The Ibadan Inland Dry Port will bring about massive employment and wealth creation opportunities which will engender growth in the economy of the South – West and the nation in general”.

The Shippers Council boss also told newsmen that the Expression of Interest in the project is already coming as interested firms are beginning to submit their bids adding that before the end of this month the preferred bidder will be announced.

Bello also disclosed that the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, has approved the Outline Business Case, for the Oyo State dry port and issued a compliance certificate to that effect.

The Oyo state Deputy Governor, Otunba Moses Adeyemo, said that the government is very eager to see this project come to life as it has given the necessary support including lands and monies to ensure that the project comes on stream as soon as possible.

Although Adeyemo was silent on how much the state government has expanded on the dry port project, he was, however, quick to say that when the facility becomes fully operational, the government will give incentives with a view to attracting investors and other auxiliary businesses to the port.