Nigeria Shippers Council Tasks Stakeholders on Export Value Chain for Lokoja Dry Port

Stakeholders in Export Value Chain in Kogi State have been called upon to collaborate towards the early take-off of Harris Logistics Domestic Export Warehouse in Lokoja.

Mr. Edwin Ignatius, Director General, Nigeria Shippers Council, (NSC) Kogi State Chapter gave the charge at a meeting with critical stakeholders on the Export Value Chain after inspecting ongoing work at the Harris Logistics Domestic Export Warehouse and Dry Port on Friday in Lokoja.

Ignatius urged the stakeholders to strive towards the early completion of the Port, adding that if operational it will create employment and other opportunities.

According to him, the Dry Port stakeholders were called at the instance of the Shippers Council of Nigeria, the CBN, Kogi Enterprises Development Agency, Shippers Association, Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Kogi State Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Zenith and United Bank of Africa.

The DG NSC disclosed that the Dry Port in Lokoja, which is amongst the 12 dry ports that is ongoing in the Country, adding that if completed it will assist in cargo consolidation, thereby bringing down the cost of doing business.

The Director General noted that the advantages of the Port are enormous and urged all the stakeholders to do everything humanly possible to make it operational.

He urged the relevant stakeholders to make a commitment that will make the Dry Port operational and described the location of Kogi State as one that has made the federal government to locate two Ports in Lokoja and Ajaokuta.

Ignatius commended the quality of work and equipment at the Dry Port, and reiterated that the Shippers Council would strive towards ensuring that standard procedures is followed that would ease the cost of doing business and its early takeoff.

The Director General canvassed for the political will at both the federal and state government levels, as well as those of the other relevant stakeholders in the value chain that will lead to the early take-off of the Port.

He also lauded Harris Logistics Domestic Export Warehouse for the stage the Warehouse has attained.

On his part, Hassan D. Hassan, Head Development Finance Officer, CBN, expressed the determination and commitment of CBN to the actualization of the Dry Port and reassured the passion of CBN to see to the take-off of the Port.

Hassan applauded Harris Logistics Domestic Export Warehouse for investing in the project with state-of-the-art modern equipment.

The Head Development Finance Officer, CBN assured of workable partnership with the relevant stakeholders on the need for more engagement that would ensure the take-off of the Port.

In her remarks, Hajia Amina Abdulmalik, the Trade Promotion Adviser, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Kogi State, pointed out that having seen some of the noticed challenges limiting the take-off of the Port, promised to liaise with the appropriate authorities that would enable the take-off of the Port.

The Chairman and CEO of Harris Logistics Domestic Export Warehouse, Mohammed Olufemi, said the Dry Port is at 95% completion, which is almost ready for Commissioning.

Olufemi highlighted that when operational the Port would help the challenges faced by Exporters in the region, particularly, Exporters of perishable goods and Solid Minerals for the North Central zone.

He stated further that with the end of oil export, the need to boost other export commodities cannot be overemphasised, adding that it will greatly reduce the ease of doing business as envisaged by the Federal Government.

The representatives of the Shippers Association, KEDA, NASSI, ZENITH, UBA and KOCCIMA all pledged their commitment to the early completion of the Port project.

High point of the visit were facility inspection by the stakeholders who were taken around Bay 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Port, which comprises the Bay made up of the Temperature Control Warehouse (cold room), Agric Produce Storage (grains, cashew), Solid Minerals, and Agric Produce amongst others.