By Hussaini Yero, Funtua
The Funtua inland dry port has been officially commissioned by the federal government.
The commissioning ceremony was performed by the representative of President Bola Ahmed Tunubu and the secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
Speaking at the occasion, the Secretary to the government of the Federation, Senator George Akume said the Federal government has established the Dry Inland Port in Funtua to promote business activities and employment opportunities to the People of Katsina State and Nigeria at Large.
Senator George Akume described Katsina State and the Funtua area as an Agrarian area with a lot of farming opportunities that will be of benefit to the dry inland port.
He said the Dry Inland Port would provide load and unload services of goods to the business community in the North including some African countries like Niger Republic.
The beneficiaries of the Dry Inland Port will enjoy the services of sea ports without visiting the seaports.
The representative of the president called on the host community to make good use of the dry Inland port which he described as a national asset.
He directed the Customs Department to work diligently in actualising the essence of the Dry Inland Port.
In his remarks, the Governor of Katsina State Dr Dikko Umar Radda praised the Federal government for making the Dry Inland Port a reality in Funtua and Katsina State.
Governor Radda said the establishment of Dry Inland Port was in line with President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
The Governor assured the President that the State Government would do all it could to woo investors to invest in the project.
Dr Radda called on the federal government to rehabilitate the rail line from Zaria to Funtua as part of the effort to provide critical infrastructures to facilitate the proper Functioning of the Dry Inland Port.
He equally called for the extension of gas from Zaria to Funtua.
Also in his Speech the Chairman of the Funtua Dry Inland Port project, Alh (Dr) Umaru Mutallab expressed gratitude to the Federal government for the actualisation of the Dry Inland Port which he said will be of immense benefit to the people of Katsina state.
Dr Umaru Mutallab said Funtua will receive a boost due to the influx of people from all walks of life and provide business advantages to the people for rapid economic growth.
He called on the business community in the locality to make the best use of the opportunity for growth and development.
The Minister for Marine and Economy Adegboyega Oyetola said the essence of establishing the Dry Inland Port is to decongest the seaport, adding that the Federal government has commenced the rehabilitation and upgrading of the seaport for smooth operation.
At the end of the occasion, the representative of the president and secretary to the government of the Federation, Geoge Akume in the company of the Minister, the Chairman of the Dry Inland Port project, Dr Umaru Mutallab and other dignitaries performed the commissioning ceremony on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tunubu.
