The Nigerian Suppers Council (NSC) has urged importers and exporters to leverage the opportunities provided by the Funtua Inland Dry Port to bolster socio-economic activities.
Dr Pius Akutah, the Executive Secretary of the council, made the call on Monday in Funtua, as the port received its first cargo.
Represented by the Director, North-West Coordinating Office, Hajiya Kareematu Usman, he expressed the council’s excitement for the successful commencement of operations at the port.
Akutah, therefore, called on youths in the area to stop being idle and venture into small and medium scale businesses provided by the dry port.
Earlier in a remark, the Customs Comptroller, Katsina State Command, Mr Idris Abba-Aji, expressed satisfaction on the arrangement at the port for its smooth operation.
“The building, machines and all the facilities put in place are up to standard, our prayer is for God to give us long life and see the development of the place,” he said.
Abba-Aji also called on merchants to always follow the laid down rules and due process for the smooth and fastest operation of the port.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the port, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim-Dodo, called on importers and exporters to feel free and come to Funtua for services.
“As people can see, we have started receiving goods from Lagos; we are expecting many more to come in no distant time.
“This container took only two days to reach Funtua from Lagos,” Ibrahim-Dodo said.
Dr Umar Mutallab, who is the Chairman of the port, thanked the council for its commitment towards ensuring its successful take off.
Represented by Alhaji Tijjani Dandutse, Mutallab said that the port was expecting another eight sets of containers in the next few weeks.
“We promised to make this place a hub for exports; we have gone to market this place in Niger and Chad Republics.
“We have even signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that all their imports and exports will come through Funtua,” he said.
