NSC reiterates commitment to realize Aba Inland Container Depot

The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) a Federal Government agency vested with the responsibility of protecting the interest of Nigerian shippers- importers and exporters, has reiterated its commitment to ensure that the Aba Inland Container Depot at Avor Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the State is realised.

Emenike Ndukwe, area officer, Enugu office of the NSC, made the pledge in response to the demand of shippers in the Southeast zone of the country, at an enlightenment programme organised by the council, in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State.

Aba Inland Container Depot, one of the six dry ports approved by the Federal Government in the six geo-political zones of the country, is one project that is believed to boost the economy of Abia State and the entire Southeast when realised.

Consequently, Abia State Government and Eastgate-the concessionaire have some responsibilities to ensure the realisation of the project, which is vital to the State as it is expected to generate revenue, create employment and boost the economy of the State.

Although the project has suffered some set backs, it has been reinvigorated and now being supervised by the Deputy Governor, Emeka Ananaba, who would ensure that the aim of the project is achieved.

To show commitment, the State Government has acquired 20 percent equity in the project, to enable the people of the State to reap the full benefits of the project, touted to be the most viable among the five other ICD projects in the country.

Governor Theodore Orji, explained that his administration’s decision to acquire 20 percent stake in the project was to give additional confidence to the Federal Government, the concessionaires and the people of the State.

According to him, we know that when this project is completed, that our youths would have something to do.

The governor observed that the project when completed, would attract so many companies to the area and state at large and on behalf of the people of the state assured the concessionaire of the peoples support to ensure that the project was realized.

However, one issue that needs to be addressed, which is important to the viability of the project is the provision of rail transportation from the ports in Port Harcourt and Onne to the depot. The rehabilitation of the route, would ensure the realisation of the full economic potentials of the ICD, which is situated along the route at Avor Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State.

The Federal Ministry of Transport should also use the opportunity offered by the new rail contract to consider creating a new rail route to link up Calabar, Cross River State and the rest of the Southeast.

The observation of Adamu Biu, the immediate past chief executive officer, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) at the inauguration of the site buttresses the viability of the project when he said, “This land is the place, this is the home for the most viable dry port in the country according to the report of the survey carried out on the viability of the six ICDs in the country.

According to Biu, “It is not going to be easy, but we are confident that Eastgate is equal to the task, we are confident that Eastgate has the required commitment, we are confident that the state government will continue to support this project, we are confident that the host community will also continue to give us the necessary support and by so doing, the container depot in Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North Local Council, will be the best in the South of Sahara,” he said.

The ICD project was initiated to ease off congestion at the country’s ports as well as provide fast track clearing services to importers in the country.---BUSINESSDAY