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Kaduna dry port to handle 30, 000 containers annually, says operator

MD ICNL, Mr Ismail Yusuf

Mr Ismail Yusuf, the Managing Director, Inland Container
Nigeria Ltd.(ICNL) on Wednesday said about 30,000 containers would be handled
yearly by the Kaduna Inland Container Depot (ICD) when fully operational.

 Yusuf made the disclosure in an interview in Lagos.
Inland Container Depots are otherwise referred to as Dry
Ports.
The port operator said the possibility of handling that
volume of containers (30,000 containers) was as a result of the gazette of the
facility as a port of origin and final destination by the Federal Government.
 Yusuf said the development meant an increase in road
haulage, which would be beneficial to the sub-sector.
 “Road haulage will increase as the dry port will
be receiving approximately 30,000 containers per annum.
 “This will certainly impact on economic activities
because the road haulage providers will also have the need to procure materials
to maintain their trucks,’’ he said.

The managing director advised importers on the need
for proper documentation.

He noted that those intending to use the Kaduna Dry
Port must ensure “there are no undervaluation, no under-declaration and no
wrong classification.’’

 Yusuf also advised importers to ensure timely
processing of their Bill of Lading ahead of arrival of ships and to also
indicate “In Transit to Kaduna Inland Dry Port.’
 He said the Bill of Lading should also bear a
Northern address if consignment delivery would be in the North.

NAN reports that the Federal Government in July, declared
Kaduna Inland Container Depot (ICD) as a port of origin and final destination.

This declaration is contained in a government gazette No.
60 Vol.102 of May 26, 2015, titled “Kaduna Dry Port Declaration Order, 2015.’’

The gazette which was signed by the former Minister of
Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, has now upgraded the Inland Containers Nigeria Ltd
(ICNL) Bonded Terminal, Kaduna to the status of a Port of Origin and Final
Destination.

The newly-designated port with the capacity to handle
29,000 containers per annum, according to the gazette, shall be a Customs port
in accordance with the provisions of the Customs and Exercise Management Act,
Cap. C 45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014.

It is expected that the Kaduna Inland Dry Port would have
all the pre-requisites of an international port including Customs, Immigration,
Port Health and Government Security Agencies.

The Spokesman of Seaports
Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Mr Bolaji Akinola, said the
movement of containers from Lagos ports to the hinterland in Kano was based on
demand.

Akinola said APM Terminals Apapa Ltd, had introduced a rail service in mid-2013
to evacuate containers from  Apapa to Kano.

He said APM terminals had also developed an additional rail service, adding
that the management of the terminal had established an Inland Container Depot
(ICD) in Kano.   

“There is a three-time rail service in a week run by APM terminals from Lagos
to Kano.

“The service could be improved upon depending on the demand,’’ Akinola said.

He said that if importers demanded more for the rail service, it would reduce
port congestion and free the ports’ access roads.

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