Stakeholders on Export Value Chain in Kogi State have been asked to work collectively towards the early take off of Harris Logistics Domestic Export Warehouse in Lokoja, pointing out that the advantages of the Dry Port when operational remains unquantifiable.
Mr. Edwin Ignatius, Director General, Nigeria Shippers Council, Kogi State Chapter gave the charge at a meeting with critical stakeholders on the Export Value Chain after inspecting ongoing work at the Harris Logistics Domestic Export Warehouse and Dry Port in Lokoja, called on the stakeholders to strive towards the early completion of the Port, pointing out that if operational it will create employment and other opportunities.
The Dry Port stakeholders that attended the meeting that was called at the instance of the Shippers Council of Nigeria included the CBN, Kogi Enterprises Development Agency, Shippers Association, Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Kogi State Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Zenith and United Bank of Africa.
The Director General NSC maintained that the Dry Port in Lokoja, which is amongst the 12 that is ongoing in the Country, will assist in cargo consolidation, thus bringing down the cost of doing business.
The Director General noted that the advantages of the Port are enermous, urged all the stakeholders to do everything humanly possible to make it operational.
He urged the relevant stakeholders to make commitment that will make the Dry Port operational, described the location of Kogi State as one that has made the federal government locate two Ports in Lokoja and Ajaokuta.
The Director General expressed satisfaction with the quality of work and equipment at the Dry Port, assured that the Shippers Council would strive towards ensuring that standard procedures is followed that would ease cost of doing business and it early take off.
He called for the political will at both the federal and state government level, as well as those of the other relevant stakeholders in the value chain that will lead to the early take off of the Port, lauded Harris Logistics Domestic Export Warehouse for the stage the Warehouse has attained.
In a remarks, Hassan D. Hassan, Head Development Finance Officer, CBN, expressed the determination and commitment of CBN to the actualization of the Dry Port, reiterated the passion of CBN to see to the take off of the Port.
Mr. Hassan Commended Harris Logistics Domestic Export Warehouse for investing in the project with the state of the art modern equipment, assured of collaboration, called on the relevant stakeholders on the need for more engagement that would ensure the take off of the Port.
In her remarks, the Trade Promotion Adviser, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Kogi State, Hajia Amina Abdulmalik, said having seen some of the noticed challenges limiting the take off of the Port, promised to liase with the appropriate authorities that would enable the take off of the Port.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman and CEO of Harris Logistics Domestic Export Warehouse, Mohammed Olufemi, said the Dry Port is at 95% completion, almost ready for Commissioning, said when operational it would serve Exporters with the North Central region of Nigeria.
Mr. Mohammed said when operational the Port would help the challenges faced by Exporters in the region, particularly, Exporters of perishable goods and Solid Minerals for which the North Central and Kogi State he stressed have Comparative advantage.
While pointing out that with the end of oil export, the need to boost other export commodities cannot be overemphasize, said when operational, the Port in Lokoja will greatly reduce the ease of doing business as envisaged by the Federal Government, reduce levies, assured that the process and procedures for export would be broken down in logistics, management amongst other observed challenges associated with export.
Mr. Mohammed called for a workable collaboration with Shippers Council, NEPC and all the other relevant stakeholders on export value chain that will lead to the early take off of the Port, pointing out that the gains when operational can not be quantified to the country and individuals.
In there separate remarks, the Representatives of Shippers Association, KEDA, NASSI, ZENITH, UBA, KOCCIMA, all pledged there commitment to the early completion of the Port project, pointing out that if operational the Port would no doubt turnaround the economy of the state through improved revenue, job creation and other socio economic opportunities.
Highlights of the visit was facility inspection by the stakeholders who were taken round Bay 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Port. The Bay include Temperature Control Warehouse (cold room), Agric Produce Storage (grains, cashew), Solid Minerals, Agric Produce amongst others.