Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, announced on Wednesday that an inland dry port set to be established in Maiduguri will be completed within six months.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos during a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Governor Zulum said the port will bring economic and social benefits to Borno State.
Zulum stated that the inland dry port would create numerous employment opportunities, particularly for the youth, thus reducing street idleness.
He said, “The establishment of the inland dry port in Maiduguri will create jobs, taking thousands of young people off the streets. This is a crucial development for Borno State.”
The governor also noted the strategic location of Borno, which shares borders with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, stating that the port will enhance trans-border trade and strengthen relationships with neighbouring countries.
“This initiative will boost our economy, enhance our GDP, and reduce our reliance on a monoeconomy centred around oil,” Zulum added.
Governor Zulum said he is confident in the Federal Government’s efforts to rehabilitate rail lines and roads under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which will further support the port’s operations.
He assured that the port would be operational even before the rail infrastructure was fully restored, with the road transport system currently being adequate.
Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary of the NSC, also spoke on the occasion, affirming that the inland dry port would boost Nigeria’s trade with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.
He stressed the importance of such infrastructure, particularly in light of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), and praised Governor Zulum’s commitment to the project.
Akutah urged the private sector to collaborate with the government to expedite the project, adding that the inland dry port would be a public-private partnership, ensuring its long-term sustainability and success.
