TheCable

Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, says he intends to send a delegation to the Republic of Niger to tell it to start receiving goods at the Kaduna inland dry port instead of the seaports in Lagos.

The governor was speaking on Tuesday on the sidelines of the ceremony for the commencement of cargo delivery by rail to the Kaduna inland dry port.

“I intend to send a delegation to the Republic of Niger to sensitize the government of that country of the opportunities of receiving their goods in Kaduna instead of Lagos and having to truck them as well as any of their exports from Kaduna port to any part of the world,” said el-Rufai.

“This is a great opportunity; it will create jobs for our young people, it will expand business opportunities and also lower the cost of doing business for our business men here in Nigeria as well as lower the cost of agricultural products in southern Nigeria.  So, it is a great day. I am very happy

“Our investment promotion agency will go on drive to attract investors that will put up warehouses, cold stores and Port facilities that will facilitate imports and exports from Kaduna Inland Dry Port.

“We are committed to this and the state government will go whatever we can by way of support to ensure that this inland dry port is a remarkable success.”

The governor also commended Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, and Hassan Bello, the executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), for the major achievement.

“This is a major achievement which has been made possible through the efforts of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council. We are very grateful today’s event has opened a new vista of commercial opportunities not only for Northern businessmen but even for our neighbouring countries,” he said.

“It is a happy day for me as the governor of Kaduna state and I am sure it is also a happy day for all northern businessmen and women because with the commissioning of the dry port last year and with this shipment, transportation of goods from the port, containers from the seaports in Lagos to Kaduna by rail has confirmed that our inland dry port is functioning and you can ship your goods direct from Kaduna to any part of the world and you can also import goods from any part of the world direct to Kaduna without your containers or any of your goods being opened up for inspection in Lagos.”

El-Rufai had recently spoken on how to end “godfatherism” in the politics of Lagos. His statement, however, drew the attention of a group identified as Yoruba council of youths worldwide, which questioned the impact of his political victory on the lives of Kaduna residents.