…As Shippers’ Council Presents Outlined Business Case and Compliance Certificate

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has explained that his administration conceived the Kajola Inland Dry Port project to align with the Federal Government’s initiative to strengthen rail networks across the country, ease pressure on the Apapa and Tin Can ports, and streamline the clearance of raw materials.

The governor made the statement while receiving the Outlined Business Case and Compliance Certificate for the development and operation of the dry port from a delegation of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC).

The Shippers’ Council lauded the governor’s initiative, noting that the establishment of the dry port underscores a collective commitment to improving Nigeria’s trade and logistics infrastructure, which will be instrumental in national transformation.

Receiving the delegation, led by the Executive Secretary and CEO of the Council, Barr. Pius Akutah, in Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun highlighted Ogun State’s strategic advantages, including its extensive federal road network that connects with the North, East, and other parts of the country. This connectivity, he said, has made the state an ideal location for manufacturers.

“We have the advantage of proximity to Lagos, Nigeria’s busiest seaports and airport. We also have an extensive gas pipeline network that powers industries. These factors have made Ogun State the industrial capital, attracting a steady flow of raw materials through Lagos,” he said.

The governor explained that the inland dry port aligns with the federal government’s plan to strengthen rail infrastructure, connecting Lagos with Ogun, Oyo, Osun, and Ondo states. He noted that the congestion and inefficiencies at the Tin Can and Apapa seaports, with containers sometimes taking 30-60 days to clear, had resulted in unnecessary costs and demurrage. The inland port, he said, would allow containers to be cleared in Ogun State, reducing delays and costs for businesses in neighboring states.

Governor Abiodun affirmed his administration’s commitment to working closely with the Shippers’ Council to ensure the success of the project.

Earlier, Barr. Pius Akutah commended the governor for his leadership and the state’s progress in establishing the inland dry port. He emphasized that the dry port is part of a broader effort to improve Nigeria’s trade and logistics infrastructure. Akutah also noted the importance of collaborating with state governments to develop inland ports and cargo transport parks, with an eye on regional connectivity and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

“With the good road network, the airport construction, and the conducive business environment in Ogun, we are witnessing the beginning of Nigeria’s industrial revolution,” Akutah stated. He also expressed gratitude for the 20-hectare land provided for the development of a vehicle transit area, which will further complement the state’s growing transport infrastructure.