Dala Inland Dryport Would Lead To Massive Enonomic Development — Dr Gawuna

Kano State Government says it contributed about two point five billion naira for the speedy completion of Dala Inland Dry Port project in due to its importance to economic growth.

Kano State Acting Governor, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna who disclosed this on Friday when the Minister of Transportation Mu'azu Jaji Sambo paid a familiarisation visit to Dry Port's Office at Zawaciki in Kumbotso Local Government Area of the State.

He said the port would lead to economic development not only for Kano and its neighbouring States but also for Niger, Cameroon and Chad Republics.

Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Hassan Musa Fagge in a statement he signed on Friday quoted Dr Gawuna as saying Kano is the commercial and investment nerve Centre of Northern Nigeria and the largest non oil and gas economy in the country with a GDP of approximately twelve billion US dollars, making it potentially viable for investors.

He added that the project is meant for harnessing the resource potentials of the State towards improving the livelihood of the teeming populace.

"Dala Inland Dry Port was initiated to act as a catalyst to improve trade flows, boost inland trading and revitalise export of agricultural products leading to multi product economy," he said.

In his address, the Minister of Transportation, Engineer Jaji Sambo while declaring the Dala Inland Dry Port as Port of Origin and Destination said Kano with sizeable number of textiles, agro allied and several manufacturing industries not only suited but most qualified for an Inland dry port.

According to him, the Inland Dry Port was conceived as part of the Federal Government's port reform programme designed to decongest the sea ports while also taking shipping and port services closer to importers and exporters in the hinterland.

However, Dala Inland Dry Port which started many years ago has now come fruition.

The Minister therefore called on the Business Community and Investors to take full advantage of facility for the import and export of their cargoes.

Also speaking at the event, Chairman, Dala Inland Dry Port, Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro explained that the board resolved from the inception to develop a facility that would function as an efficient digital and regulatory compliant port that would minimise contact between cargo and man

"At the moment, the narrow gauge railway line is fully connected the port and tested.

"It can provide the services required from Lagos to Kano and the second leg to destinations in Niger Republic can be completed by road," said Bawuro.

He commended the Federal Government and Kano State Governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for their support towards making the project a reality.