2 ICD licenses risk revocation over non-development

Harboursandport.com: Lagos -- Licenses of two of the seven licensed Inland Container Depots, ICDs will soon be revoked by the Federal Government due to lacked of development years after the licenses were granted.

Executive Secretary of the Nig. Shippers Council,
Hassan Bello.

The Federal government approved the seven ICDs to operate in the six geographical areas of the country.

Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC Hassan Bello, who disclosed this at the talkshop organised by the Maritime Reporters’Association of Nigeria, MARAN, said government is not satisfied with the work rate at the two ICDs which he did not mention.

Inland Container Depots, ICDs, also known as Inland Dry Ports, IDPs,

Inland dry ports are otherwise known as Inland Container Deports, ICDs or Containers Freight Stations, CFs. An ICD is equivalent of a sea port located in the hinterland. It receives containers by rail or road from the seaport for examination and clearance by customs and other competent authorities. 

According to Bello, “Government place high priority on the ICD projects because of the economic and employment benefit for the country. The licenses of two of them would soon be revoked if they do not show seriousness. If after 18 months there is no development at the sites, they will lose their licenses.”

He however expressed happiness the promoters of the Kaduna project which has been completed and have started operation as well as those in Jos, Plateau state and Isiala-Ngwa, Abia state, where working is ongoing.

The Shippers Council boss pointed out that two other ICDs are almost ready, noting that there was a delay with that of Isiala-Ngwa because of problem with the state government. He however stressed that a new agreement will soon be in place for work to commence.

“We are happy with that of Kaduna which was recently commissioned and full port operations has commenced. 20 wagons have been assigned by the Nigerian Railway Authority, NRA, to move containers from Lagos to Kaduna.”

Recall that the federal government through the NSC gave licenses to seven firms to operate ICDs over a decade ago. The seven ICDs are supposed to be located at  Isiala-Ngwa in Abia State, Erunmu in Oyo state, Heipang in Plateau state, Zawachiki in Kano, Zamfarawa in Katsina state, Jauri in Brono state and ICNL in Kaduna state.

Apart from the seven gazetted ICDs, there have been proposals from the private sector to establish ICDs at Dagbolu in Osun State, Lolo in Kebbi State, Onitsha in Anambra State and Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State.