More members of the organized private sector have assured of using the Kaduna Inland Dry Port, following a recent sensitization drive and series of business meetings aimed at drawing awareness to the facility.
The series of engagements saw officials of the port visiting notable private sector organizations and deepen engagements with government agencies like the Nigeria Customs Service.
According to the Port Manager, Rotimi Raimi-Hassan , the enlightenment drive to bring the ease of doing business and trade facilitation advantage of Kaduna Inland Dry Port to northern stakeholders to the fore.
Raimi-Hassan said potential port users should see the facility as a destination of choice for northern businesses involved in importation and export.
Endorsements and commitments for patronage were secured from Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) and others.
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“Kaduna Inland Dry Port was commissioned on January 4, 2018, and since then we have been operating. Although we have had little challenges which I believe are now sorted and that is why we are reaching out to you.
“We looked at it that Abuja being the foremost destination of chamber and commerce in the country, it will be the best place for us to come and seek for support and partnership, because we believe most of the big companies are established here, in terms of trade, commerce, and industries.
“Kaduna Inland Dry Port being the first dry port in the country has a reason why it was established and we are here to present a slide to show you all our operations and facilities so that you can help us tell other members to patronize Kaduna Inland Dry Port.
“In addition to that, the objective is to decongest the port and help shippers in the north to enjoy the same facilities the southern importers are enjoying. At the same time, to help both the commerce industry to promote their businesses” Raimi-Hassan said.
Kaduna Inland Dry Port Business Talk
The Port organized its maiden Business Talk where it rolled out an improved operational plan ahead of 2021. Mr Rotimi Hassan, the Port General Manager spoke during the maiden edition of KIDP annual Business Talk held in Kaduna.
Hassan noted that the event was aimed at seeking Port patronage from manufacturers and business groups in Kaduna.
“It is my pleasure that the KIDP will very soon start receiving cargoes by rail, from the first quarter of 2021, which will in no doubt reduce the cost of transportation of cargos to KIDP from Lagos seaports.
“We look forward to your patronage as the KIDP is being strategically positioned for your shipping services to allow you clear your import consignment right here and at the same time forward your export goods from Kaduna Inland Dry Port to the final destination ports abroad,” he explained.
Also, Deputy Controller of Customs, Mohammed Yusuf of the Kaduna Command in a lecture delivered at the occasion tagged, “Process of Customs Documentation and Seamless Delivery of Cargos at Kaduna Inland Dry Port,” said the newly introduced Automated System for Customs Data is a computerized system designed to administer a country’s customs.
“The aim is to build a computer system to assist customs authorities (or their local equivalents) all over the world to automate and control their core processes and obtain timely, accurate, and valuable information to support government projections and planning.
“This system saves time and gives room for thorough clearance that would allow for a seamless transaction,” he added.
Mohammed Mustapha, Representative of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Kaduna applauded the operational standards put in place by KIDP saying the Port had provided a cordial working environment for SON to carry out it statutory function.
On his part, Mu’azu Abdulkadir, representative of the National Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Kaduna said the agency had also stepped up its operations to world best practices especially in documentation and analysis.
“With the introduction of Post Inspection Data Capture and Risk Management System (PIDCARMS), work especially at the KIDP has been made a lot easier,” he noted.
The events attracted participants from across representatives of manufacturers, business groups and persons from all works of life particularly those.
The Director-General of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ms Victoria Also commended the initiative by the port management to interface closely with her organization.
She also urged KIDP to leverage on its reach to connect its many members and affiliates while assuring of robust relationship with the port.
She also described the port as a laudable initiative that proffers answers to multiple business needs of the chamber and other businesses requiring their services in states enjoying proximity with the port location.
The ACCI DG said “You can use our network to market the inland dry port. We have a very good relationship with the shippers council as well. We are in the process of concluding a formal memorandum of understanding with them on various activities.
“It will be nice to build your relationship with us, leverage on our networks as we can market the inland dry port to our members and partners, because of our position in Nigeria and relationship with NACCIMA. We and NACCIMA both leverage on each other’s strength.
“We also work closely with the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry. So I think our relationship will be very beneficial. You are already working with the advocacy centre, so let us work together and I believe we will make a lot of progress. Thank you very much.
“Kaduna is my home town and I am so happy. I am more relaxed when talking to other people, but because it is Kaduna, I have this sentiment about it. I am here for you. We are here for you as a chamber, honestly,” she assured.
