NSC: Borno Inland Dry Port Ready in Six Months

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC), weekend, disclosed that Nigeria was most likely to commission another Inland Dry Port in the next six months, having had a robust meeting with the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babangana Zulum.

NSC, hinted that it was promoting the Inland Dry Ports to facilitate and promote trade under AfFCTA.
Executive Secretary of NSC, Pius Akutah, gave the hint when he paid a courtesy call on the National Coordination office of the African Free Continental Trade Agreement (AfFCTA) in Abuja,
“We have opened our trade borders as a continent. So, if we just sit down and watch, we will see people come in with goods and services while we just sit down and look at them.

“So, we have to develop all critical infrastructure, especially in the transport sector in order to be able to encourage movement of good and services for our country,” stating that trade was an important component for economic growth for the nation.

He said Nigeria was a key factor in the negotiation of the AfFCTA Agreement even though the country backed down at the point of signing point.
“I was happy when we had the Guided Trade Initiative launched last month in Lagos. That shows that Nigeria is ready for Africa considering the opportunities that are within the AfFCTA.

“We will ensure that through partnership, together we will see how we can improve on what we have started and Nigeria happens to be one of the countries, where trade is most expensive as the cost of doing business here in the port sector is very high compare to other African countries especially those in our neighbouring environment.”