The Federal Govern
ment has said that the sum of three billion dollars is to be spent on the development of the Funtua dry port in Zamfara State.
Minister of Transport, Idris Umar, who disclosed this at the ground breaking ceremony of the Inland port in Funtua said that government is determined in ensuring that such inland dry ports are developed across the country.
Umar also disclosed that every thing was being done in ensuring that the maritime business is fully developed in Nigeria, adding that, some states of the federation being identified as land lock areas that are commercially viable are being considered for the dry Port otherwise kown as inland port.
He said that the federal government have spent huge sum of money in the maintenance of road for which goods are being ferried across the country.
According to him, the essence of developing the inland ports is to reduce the level of cargo traffic and cost of transportation of goods from the area of clearance to the destination.
He said that a lot of pressure had been mounted on the road through the operations of heavy duty trucks, for which have accounted to gross deplication of the road, which calls for regular maintenance with huge cost.
The transport minister also said that there are other cities that have been earmarked for quick take-off of the inland port, so as to boost commercial and maritime activities.
Umar explained that a similar foundation laying of another inland port will soon be undertaken in Aba, one of the commercial cities of Abia State.
He expressed hope that the foundation laying ceremony for the Funtua inland port will herald quick commercial activities in the area.