The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has rolled out mechanisms to deal with rail connectivity and logistics challenges affecting inland dry ports, to enhance Cargo motion throughout the nation.
The initiative is designed to combine inland dry ports extra successfully into the nation’s port community, facilitating motion of products between seaports and inland markets, and supporting commerce and financial actions throughout the nation.
The improvement adopted a gathering between the NPA administration, led by its Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, and the Executive Director of Dala Inland Dry Port, Mr Ahmad Rabiu, alongside representatives of Funtua Inland Dry Port, on the authority’s company headquarters in Marina, Lagos.
The engagement got here after the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, directed the switch of operational oversight of inland dry ports to the NPA.
Discussions centred on infrastructure improvement, rail connectivity, private-sector funding and the necessity to enhance operational effectivity throughout Nigeria’s maritime logistics chain.
Speaking on the assembly, Dantsoho emphasised the significance of upgrading inland dry port infrastructure and technical capabilities to complement ongoing modernisation efforts on the seaports.
He mentioned that inland dry ports should be geared up to accommodate rising cargo volumes and function effectively inside an more and more technology-driven port system.
“For our Inland Dry Ports to function at the same velocity as the ongoing modernisation across our seaports, we must proactively upgrade dry port infrastructure and technical capacity,” he mentioned.
The NPA Managing Director defined that “the adoption of digital solutions, including the Port Community System and the National Single Window, at seaports must be supported by corresponding improvements at inland dry ports to ensure seamless cargo movement throughout the supply chain.”
“As we integrate digital systems such as the Port Community System and the National Single Window in our seaports, the dry ports must deploy modern equipment and advanced technical capabilities to handle larger cargo volumes and bigger vessels coming to our coast,” Dantsoho mentioned.
He additionally known as for better private-sector participation within the improvement of inland dry port infrastructure, stressing that elevated funding would strengthen cargo-handling capability, enhance service supply and improve the competitiveness of Nigeria’s logistics sector.
Dantsoho cited APM Terminals’ institution of an Export Processing Terminal in Northern Nigeria for example of private-sector funding able to supporting inland logistics improvement and bettering entry to export markets.
He assured stakeholders that the authority was taking steps to optimise the inland port system, saying that plans had been underway to go to the Dala and Funtua Inland Dry Ports to assess their operational situations and establish crucial infrastructure necessities.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Hassan Bello recommended the switch of operational oversight to the NPA and recommended the sleek transition.
Bello additionally referenced the gazetted Port Act, which recognises inland dry ports as official ports of origin and vacation spot, whereas highlighting insufficient rail connectivity and different logistics constraints affecting their operations.
“Rail connectivity stays a crucial issue within the improvement of inland dry ports, as environment friendly hyperlinks to the nationwide rail community can facilitate the motion of cargo between seaports and inland industrial centres, cut back dependence on street transportation and probably decrease the price of transferring items“ he mentioned.
Improved rail entry might additionally ease congestion round main seaports, improve the distribution of imports and exports, and strengthen the capability of inland markets to take part in home and worldwide commerce.
The assembly established a framework for additional technical consultations, infrastructure integration and bodily planning to decide the interventions required to enhance the services.
