‘Shippers’ Council partnership with Oyo State will develop transportation, create jobs’ …Truck Transit Park project will cost N4.8bn

‘Shippers’ Council partnership with Oyo State will develop transportation, create jobs’

 .Truck Transit Park project will cost N4.8bn 

 By Udeme Clement

The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer ,CEO, of Nigerian Shippers’ Council ,NSC, Mr. Hassan Bello, has said that the partnership entered into with Oyo State Government, for the development of Inland Dry Port ,IDP, and Truck Transit Park ,TTP, in   conjunction with some Chinese investors will bring about a lot of  developments to   Nigeria’s economy.

According to Bello, the partnership arrangement unfolded when    he paid a courtesy visit to the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi at the Governor’s Office  in Ibadan, Oyo State, becomes imperative, as Oyo State is  critical to the development of transportation in view of  its strategic location in the country.

He explained,  “Since 2006, the Federal Government took a decision to establish Inland Dry Ports in the six geo-political zones of the country, of which Oyo State is one.  Transportation is a driving force in the national economy, as such,  establishment of IDP and TTP in Oyo State will create jobs and wealth for the State, and the economy at large”.

Talking about the on-going rail project being championed by the Ministry of Transport, the Council CEO said,  “It will be a big boost to the IDPs  because it  will help decongest heavy traffic on  the  roads.     It will also  facilitate easy movement of  goods from Lagos ports to different locations in the country”.

Bello stressed,   “The proposed TTP alone would cost N4.8billion through  Public Private Partnership ,PPP.  The facilities will include shopping mall, hotels, motels, worship centre and commercial banks,  among other facilities.  The idea of TTP  is  to have    a secured place for truck drivers to use as   resting place, while moving goods from one location to  another”.

The Council Boss disclosed,  “A   Memorandum of Understanding ,MoU, was signed recently with Chinese investors for the development of Ibadan Dry Port project.  The interest shown by the investors is in consideration of the strategic importance of Ibadan.  Therefore, we need the support of Oyo State government for allocation of land needed for the Truck Transit Park project.”

In his response, Senator Ajimobi, who expressed great pleasure on the two concepts, assured NSC of the support of his administration, calling on the Council to speed up documents required for the project to begin”.

The Governor enthused,  “The project would bring about remarkable reduction in road carnage, improvement in economic activities and job opportunities. Therefore, a Committee should be set up between the two partners for a successful and speedy implementation of the project”.