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Commercial Activities Kick Off at Funtua Inland Dry Port
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Francis Sardauna in Katsina
A new vista of commercial opportunities and activities have commenced at the Funtua Inland Dry Port located in Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State.
This followed the arrival of the first cargo to the Port on Monday nine months after its inauguration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, inaugurated the Funtua Inland Dry Port on May 9, 2024.
Receiving the port’s maiden cargo, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, expressed excitement for the commencement of commercial activities at the port.
Akutah, represented by the North-west Director of the Council, Kareematu Usman, said the port would unlock Nigeria’s economic potential and facilitate trade with landlocked countries like Niger and Chad Republic.
He said: “The development of Inland Dry Ports across the country is an initiative of the Nigerian Shippers Council. The Council is just like a mother that got pregnant and gave birth to the inland dry ports and today is a happy day for us.”
He admonished youths within and outside the host state to venture into business, adding that the port has brought shipping and port services closer to the importers and exporters at the hinterland.
While noting that the port will create job opportunities, improve and accrue huge revenue to the government, Akutah said the North-west region now has three Inland Dry Ports.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the Funtua Inland Dry Port, Ahmed Ibrahim-Dodo, wooed importers and exporters to patronise the port for their business activities.
In his remarks, Dr. Umar Mutallab, the chairman of the port, represented by Tijjani Dandutse, said the port would soon receive eight other cargoes.
He explained that the port has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Niger and Chad Republics for all their import and export goods to come through the port.
“We promise to make this place a hub for export. We have gone to market this place in Niger and Chad Republic and we signed a Memorandum of Understanding that all their import and export will come through Funtua”, he said.
On his part, the Controller of the Katsina Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Idris Abba-Aji urged merchants to adhere strictly to rules governing the port for seamless commercial activities to thrive.