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By Francis Ugwoke
Determined to ensure that the Inland Dry Ports (IDP) and Truck Transit Parks (TTPs) flag off operations as soon as possible, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) is wooing investors and leading financial institutions to show interest in the modern transport infrastructure schemes.
To this end, the council has concluded plans to meet some of the key investors and lending institutions during which it will unveil the economic benefits of the two projects.
The idea is to attract more investors to the two schemes, a development that will lead to speedy completion of the projects.
The council is promoting IDPs to ensure that shipping services are made easier for all importers and exporters involved in international trade.
IDPs which have been concessioned are being established in all the six-geopolitical zones of the country to serve shippers who are far away from seaports.
Similarly, TTP project is also a modern transport infrastructure which is aimed to ensure safety and security in the movement of goods from one destination to another.
Under the programme, the TTPs will be established at special points in different areas in the country along major expressways for the truck drivers to park, rest and freshen themselves before continuing the journey.
This is what obtains in many advanced countries to promote safety and security of persons and goods on the way to different shippers.
Already, some state governments have shown interest in the projects by providing land and promising other necessary infrastructure for the success of the parks.
Executive Secretary of the Council , Barrister Hassan Bello said at the weekend that there have been rising activities on the IDPs.
He disclosed that while the Kaduna IDP has already taken off awaiting a formal launch, construction works have commenced in Isiala Ngwa IDP, Abia State.
Similarly, Bello also said a lot of activities have commenced towards construction in Funtua IDP.
He disclosed that in Jos, a lot of progress has been made, adding that the rail lines to the IDP are being rehabilitated.
Another IDP that is making progress, according to him, was the one in Benin City, adding that as a greenfield investment, the Council will very soon take the issue to the Infrastructural Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) for other processes.
Bello noted that though the Council has seen some progress made by the IDPs, it is expecting that this could even be more.
He said: “ We are seeing some progress but we want that progress to even be more and next few weeks , we shall take a holistic approach , we shall hold a meeting with the concessionaires. Don’t forget theses IDPs have already been concessioned and some state governments, –Plateau, Kaduna and Abia have supported these projects and we have to be very thankful to them”.
The IDPs are located in Kaduna, Isiala Ngwa, Aba, Erunmu, Ibadan, Heipang, Jos, Zawachiki, Kano, Zamfarawa, Funtua and Jauri, Maiduguri.
The Kaduna IDP which has Port of Origin status is already operational.
Bello said IDPs and TTPs will create employment for many Nigerians as well as boost the economies of the areas where they are located .
These benefits, he said, were apart from reducing the difficulties encountered by many shippers in international trade .
