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The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Kebbi State Government have renewed efforts to develop the proposed Tsamiya Inland Dry Port and Vehicle Transit Park, with both projects expected to boost trade, create jobs and unlock economic opportunities across Nigeria’s North-West and neighbouring West African markets.
The commitment followed a strategic meeting between the NSC management, promoters of the Tsamiya Inland Dry Port project and the Kebbi State Government in Birnin Kebbi.
Speaking at the meeting, NSC Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Akutah Pius, MON, said the proposed dry port in Bagudo Local Government Area would open a new chapter for trade and logistics in the region.
According to Akutah, the project will go beyond providing an inland cargo-handling facility by stimulating economic activities, creating employment, improving cargo movement and strengthening cross-border trade along the Nigeria-Benin Republic corridor, while also enhancing commercial links with Niger Republic.
He said the development aligns with the Federal Government’s broader policy of decentralising port services by taking shipping and logistics operations closer to businesses in the hinterland.
Akutah said decentralising port services would reduce pressure on the nation’s seaports, improve cargo distribution and make international trade more accessible to businesses located far from the coastal ports.
He noted that Kebbi’s strategic location within the regional trade network makes Tsamiya a critical logistics hub for facilitating the movement of imports and exports, supporting agricultural and industrial value chains and strengthening Nigeria’s trade connectivity with neighbouring countries.
Akutah stressed that unlocking the potential of the corridor would require modern logistics infrastructure capable of supporting rising cargo volumes and commercial activities.
Responding, Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, expressed appreciation to the NSC and project promoters for advancing the initiative, describing the Tsamiya Inland Dry Port as consistent with his administration’s plans to develop inland dry ports across the state.
The governor said the projects would help increase Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), stimulate economic activity and create employment opportunities for residents.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on infrastructure development as a catalyst for economic transformation.
Idris highlighted ongoing Federal Government infrastructure projects in Kebbi, including the Illela-Badagry Super Highway, which he said would improve connectivity, facilitate trade and complement the operations of the proposed dry port.
He assured the NSC delegation that security arrangements along the project corridor were being strengthened to protect investments and facilitate the safe movement of goods and people.
According to the governor, the Federal Government is constructing an Army Barracks and Police Post along the corridor as part of measures to improve security around the project area.
The NSC boss also disclosed plans to develop a Vehicle Transit Park along the Lagos-Sokoto Super Highway.
He said the facility would provide truck drivers with a secure and organised environment to rest, refuel and access essential services while in transit.
The Vehicle Transit Park is expected to improve road safety, reduce travel delays and enhance freight movement, while creating opportunities for businesses and support services around the facility.
Providing an update on the dry port’s implementation, Akutah disclosed that the project promoters had submitted the required documentation to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), where the application is currently being processed.
He expressed optimism that the issuance of the Certificate of Compliance by the ICRC would enable the NSC to immediately proceed with the next phase of the project towards commencement.
The meeting with the Kebbi State Government followed an earlier inspection of the proposed project site by NSC officials, underscoring the Council’s efforts to ensure that regulatory and procedural requirements are completed ahead of the project’s take-off.
The Tsamiya Inland Dry Port is among the inland port initiatives being promoted by the NSC to expand access to port services, reduce logistics costs, strengthen regional integration and advance the development of an efficient multimodal transport system.
