Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum said the Maiduguri dry inland port will begin operations in six months.
Zulum made this known on Wednesday in Lagos while addressing journalists after a courtesy call to the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, Pius Akutah.
The governor expressed confidence that the establishment of the NSC, while providing job opportunities to young people, would also boost the state’s economy.
“Establishing the inland dry port in Maiduguri will bring many opportunities to the government and people of Borno State. It will generate employment, taking thousands of young children off the street. This is very important,” he said.
Zulum added that Borno State shares borders with three countries, namely: Niger, Chad and Cameroon; therefore, the inland dry port will enhance trans-border trade.
“This is what we are looking for. The relationship between our border countries will improve, the economy of the nation will grow very well, and our GDP will increase,” he said.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of NSC, Pius Akutah, noted that if established, the Maiduguri Dry Inland Port would boost trans-border trade, considering that Borno is close to three countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic.
The NSC CEO said: “As the Governor has said, it is important for Borno State, as a border town to these three countries, to have an inland dry port. The benefits that will accompany such cannot be overemphasised.
“With the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in place, you cannot overemphasise the need to have this kind of critical infrastructure in a place like Maiduguri, Borno State, that has boundaries with three countries within the area.”