Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has announced that the construction of the Inland Dry Port (IDP) in Maiduguri will be completed within six months. The IDP is expected to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s GDP by enhancing transborder trade, generating employment, and supporting the nation’s economic diversification efforts.
Zulum made the statement during a visit to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Headquarters in Lagos, where he reassured NSC Executive members of Borno’s commitment to the project. He emphasized that the dry port will offer numerous benefits, including job creation, improved cross-border trade with neighboring countries (Chad, Niger, and Cameroon), and economic growth.
The Governor also praised President Bola Tinubu for his efforts in rehabilitating national infrastructure, including roads and railways, which support the logistics needed for the dry port. He highlighted the importance of the dry port in reducing dependency on oil and expanding Nigeria’s economic opportunities.
Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary of the NSC, endorsed the project and commended Zulum for his dedication. He noted that the establishment of the IDP aligns with Nigeria’s international trade goals under the African Continental Free Trade Zone Agreement (AfCFTA) and stressed the need for collaboration between public and private sectors to expedite the project.
Currently, the dry port project is at five percent completion, and the NSC has pledged to support the timely realization of the project. The IDP is anticipated to handle over 10,000 containers daily once operational.