Stakeholders in the North Central zone have raised concern over the non-completion of the Jos Inland Container Depot 19 years after its inauguration.

The stakeholders expressed worry that the non-completion of the JICD had denied the state and neighbouring regions the benefits of a functional inland container depot, including job creation and economic growth.

The PUNCH reports that the JICD, located in Heipang, Jos, Plateau State, was initially designed to enhance export cargo consolidation, decongest seaports, and stimulate economic growth in the region.

However, the project has been plagued by delays and setbacks, including a 2014 demolition by the then-governor Jonah Jang’s administration and the subsequent buyout of the concessionaire, Duncan Maritime Ventures, by the Plateau State Government in 2021 for N2.2 billion.

Despite this, the project remains incomplete.

Speaking on Wednesday during an interactive session organised in Jos by the North Central Coordinating Office of the Nigerian Shippers Council, some stakeholders lamented the situation expressing regrets over the setback that had befallen the project in the last 19 years

A stakeholder and Managing Director of Plateau Investment and Property Development Company, Mr Danlami Jelka, as well as the representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria urged the Federal Government to ensure rail connectivity to the Heipang Inland Dry Port to facilitate the transportation of agricultural products

Jelka said, “This project is one that started for more than 19 years ago. Till now, it is not up to 40 percent completion.

“This is giving us a serious cause for concern because the state and it’s people are not reaping the benefits. We are aware that this dry port functions well when there is a rail connection. As a matter of fact, the rail connection that comes to Jos has been moribund for quite a long time.

“We need help in this area as well. So, we hope that something will be done this time around.”

Another stakeholder and business owner from Bokkos, Makwil Benard, lamented that local farmers had suffered enormous loses due to the non functionality of the dry port.

“What the farmers who produce in large quantity are losing can only be imagined because they do not have the means to transport to transport them where they are mostly needed some of these produce are sold at give away prizes because you keep perishable produce at your own risk. I think the dry port will solve this challenge when it becomes operational,” Benard stated

But the Federal Government through the Nigerian Shippers Council assured the stakeholders that the Jos Inland Dry Port in Heipang, Plateau State, will soon become operational.

NSC Executive Secretary, Pius Akutah, expressed optimism that with the renewed collaborative efforts of the Federal Government with the host state government as well as other stakeholders, the Jos Inland Dry Port project would soon become a reality.

“We have gone to the site to see things and we are working tirelessly with the Plateau state Government and we are looking at the possibility of having an investor that will bridge the gap in terms of time to drive the process.

“So, we must have an investor that is financially capable to carry out this mandate and that is the mandate the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy has given us because he is concerned that this legacy project has been on for almost 20 years and nothing has really happened and this is because of the involvement of investors who did not have the capacity to carry out this type of project because it is capital intensive.

“So, we must be weary that those incapable investors do not take it over again. It is not every investor that can do it. What the minister wants is an investor that has the capacity, the funding and must see the seriousness before he puts his signature on any concession agreement with any investor that shows interest because we need the infrastructure to start operation,” the Executive Secretary said.

Akutah emphasized the council’s commitment to ensuring the development of inland dry ports across the country.

He decried the low number of mega businesses in Nigeria and reiterated the council’s readiness to support importers and exporters.

The NSC boss urged business owners in the state to take advantage of the North-Central Zonal Office of the Shippers’ Council to boost trade and investment.

“I wish to enjoin all industry stakeholders within Plateau state and North Central Zone to ensure optimal utilisation of our services to benefit maximally in the course of their shipping and logistics,” he added.

The Plateau Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Salihu Mohammed , expressed the state government’s readiness to ensure the Dry Port becomes functional

He revealed that discussions were ongoing with potential investors to partner in operationalising the facility.

“We can not afford allow Jos Inland Dry Port to remain non functional when others are operating,” the NSC North Central Coordinator, Mr Jeremiah Okoliko, added


https://punchng.com/stakeholders-demand-action-as-jos-inland-dry-port-remains-uncompleted/