The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) says the Kaduna Dry Port has been completed and is set to commence operation after final inspection in June.
The Executive Secretary of the council, Hassan Bello said, on Wednesday, in Abuja, that the Kaduna port was the first to be completed in the country.
Bello said that the Federal Ministry of Transportation would embark on the final inspection of the completed Kaduna Dry Port in June to ensure that it meets international standard.
He said that the first inspection was undertaken by the shippers council to ensure that everything was properly done ahead of the second and final inspection to be carried out by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
“The inspection is to ensure that it meets international standard, in terms of security, accessibility; having access to roads, in terms of pavement and also warehouse for both import and export.
“And also provision of offices for regulatory authorities like Customs, Shippers council and Traffic management.
“This dry port is the only one for now in Nigeria for exports; goods can be exported to other part of the world to diversify the economy, “ Bello said.
The shippers council executive secretary, however, said that railway was vital to the success of dry ports, and expressed the hope that all ports would be linked to rail lines.
Work on the Kaduna dry port, funded by the shippers council and Kaduna State Government, lasted for three years. (NAN)