Ogun State Government is seeking collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to determine situatable location for the construction of Inland Container Depot (ICD) out of the various option within the State.
The synergy is to create economic cluster around the State Government's ongoing Agro Cargo Airport project in Ilishan-Remo area
The State Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo made this known when he received a team from the NSC, during an Inter-Ministerial meeting at the Ministry's Conference Room, Parastatal Building, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, stating that the ICD was part of a shore project that would stimulate growth and development in the State and the nation at large.
Dairo said the establishment of the Dry Port would decongest the Apapa port and the proposed Lekki Sea Port in handling import and export cargo in and out of the country through the Gateway State, noting that it was part of the State's multi modal means of transportation as highlighted in the State's Strategic Transport Master Plan.
“Just as we plan to develop an aerotropolis around the proposed Agro Cargo Airport in Ogun East, we also plan to build Dry Port city, an economic centre like logistics centres, factories and residential centres around the Inland Container Depot”, he said
Earlier in her address, the Director, NSC, Mrs. Ify Okolue said the project is capital intensive despite involving private partnership participation and could only be embarked upon by the government whose vision was to improve its State's socio-economic development
Okolue commended the commitment of Governor Dapo Abiodun for the futuristic project that was in line with the vision of the presidency, towards using exports to earn foreign exchange to generate employment for the indigenous people of the State.
On her part, the Co-chairman, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) (Transport), Mrs. Funmilayo Folorunsho, lauded the strides of the Governor for showing interest in identifying the looming vacuum in the area of cargo.
The Federal and State Government teams later visited the proposed sites in Wasimi and Kajola for immediate evaluation.
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