The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Mr. Hassan Bello has expressed optimism that Jos Dry Port will be completed by the first quarter of 2022.
Hassan Bello also disclosed that the council has a plan of building an international resource centre which will cost Fifteen billion (₦15,000,000.000) in Jos, Plateau State.
Hassan Bello made this known during the inauguration of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council North-Central Coordinating Office in Jos last week.
The council boss noted that he had held series of discussions with the Plateau State Governor Solomon Lalong over the dry port and Lalong had shown a total commitment to the development of the port.
According to Bello, “the product of these discussions, sometimes presided over by the Minister of Transportation Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is that the Jos Dry Port will be revitalized and energized. We sincerely hope that it would be completed by the 1st Quarter of 2022.”
He noted that the resource centre, a magnificent monument, will include a 5-star hotel, shopping mall, restaurant, Multipurpose halls, Conference centre (automate) with a capacity of 2,500 people.
“This project will be delivered through Public-Private Partnership and supported at all times by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. This zone, this state, this city deserves no less than this. I am sure I will find support from the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Plateau State Government, and the private sector,” said Bello.
While speaking, the Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi said the Council with the support of the ministry is facilitating the development of inland dry ports such as the Dry Port at Heipang in Jos will provide easy access to international markets for investors in solid mineral resources, agriculture, etc.
The Federal Ministry of Transportation through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s activities highlights the benefits of the maritime sector as the best alternative for economic diversification. Let me state categorically that the transportation sector has the potential for employment, investment and growth of our nation’s international trade in the state.
“Plateau State is known for solid mineral resources, such as tin, platinum, zinc iron ore and so on. The temperate climate of the state supports certain agricultural produce. These resources need access to both domestic and international markets. In addition to its other uses, the dry port in Heipang Jos will provide such access. I implore the good people of Plateau State to put it to optimal and beneficial use.
“Our vision is to re-engineer the economy by establishing modern transport infrastructure that will strengthen the nation’s logistics value chain and support the development of the non-oil sector,” said the minister.
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