The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has appealed to the Abia State Government to support the revitalisation of the long-dormant Isiala Ngwa Inland Dry Port (IDP), citing its potential to enhance Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and contribute to regional economic development.
The call was made by the NSC’s Executive Secretary, Akutah Ukeyima, during a visit to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
Ukeyima noted that the project, originally gazetted in 2006 and concessioned to Eastgate Container Terminal, has stalled at approximately 10 percent completion due to persistent infrastructure deficits and funding constraints.
He stated that operationalising the facility could transform Abia into a trade and logistics hub for the region, improve access to markets for small and medium-sized enterprises in Aba, and contribute to employment generation and revenue growth.
The facility, he said, could support exports of agro-products, leather, textiles, and other manufactured goods from the Southeast and serve as a gateway for trade with landlocked countries such as Chad and Niger.
The NSC boss noted that the IDP aligns with AfCFTA’s objectives of fostering a unified African market, offering Nigerian producers access to a consumer base of over 1.4 billion people and a collective GDP estimated at $3.4 trillion.
He said the project could also stimulate private investment in freight forwarding, storage, agro-processing, and bonded warehousing, thereby contributing to broader economic development.
Ukeyima called on the Abia State Government to assist in addressing critical infrastructure needs, convene relevant stakeholders, and establish a state-level implementation committee to advance the project.
He reaffirmed the Council’s readiness to provide regulatory and technical support in collaboration with both government and private sector partners.
Responding to the NSC’s appeal, Governor Otti acknowledged the project’s economic potential but pointed to longstanding implementation challenges that have hindered its progress over the years.
He described the delay as a missed opportunity and highlighted the absence of reliable rail infrastructure as a major barrier to the viability of the dry port. According to the governor, the efficient movement of cargo from seaports to inland locations depends largely on cost-effective and dependable rail connections.
Otti referenced ongoing federal rail initiatives, including the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri line, but noted concerns over the use of narrow-gauge tracks for Abia, while other regions have benefitted from standard gauge lines.
He stated that addressing these infrastructural issues is essential for the project to proceed in a sustainable and commercially viable manner.
The governor expressed his willingness to collaborate with federal agencies to identify and implement practical solutions. He stressed the need to ensure that, once completed, the facility attracts adequate usage and delivers measurable economic benefits, cautioning that further delays could render the concession obsolete without the port ever becoming operational.
He concluded by urging stakeholders to prioritise the resolution of transport challenges while remaining realistic about the project’s feasibility, particularly if underlying structural issues persist.
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