Nearly two decades after the Isiala Ngwa Inland Dry Port (IDP) was first conceived, Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has criticised the prolonged delay in its operationalisation and called for urgent Federal Government intervention to address critical transport infrastructure gaps, especially the absence of rail connectivity.
Governor Otti made the call on Wednesday at his country home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, led by the Executive Secretary, Dr Akutah Pius Ukeyima.
Describing the 19-year delay as a “major economic loss” and an indictment on the project’s implementation process, Governor Otti said, “Isiala Ngwa IDP was well-positioned from the initial conceptualisation. But for it to remain on the drawing table for 19 years, something is definitely wrong”.
The Governor identified transportation, particularly the lack of rail infrastructure, as a major bottleneck hindering the viability of inland ports across the country.
“The major problem is transportation. Until we solve that problem of rail, the inland port system will remain unviable. The cheapest way to move goods is through rail. You can freight them and pay more, but that’s not sustainable for business”, Governor Otti stated.
While acknowledging ongoing Federal Government investments in rail, including the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri corridor, the Governor noted that some concerns had been raised about the decision to use narrow-gauge tracks in the region.
He, however, clarified that for cargo movement, the gauge is less of a concern compared to timely and efficient execution.
“The difference between narrow and standard gauge is about 40 to 50 kilometers per hour. If the trains are carrying goods, they don’t even move that fast. The real issue is in the execution,” he said.
Governor Otti also pledged to engage with Federal authorities, including the Minister of Transport to resolve the challenges and expressed readiness to travel to Abuja for high-level discussions on the matter.
“I’m happy to be part of the solution. I want the port to start working but we must ensure that when the investment is made, there’s patronage. Otherwise, we’ll be wasting time and money”.
He further questioned why importers still prefer Lagos ports despite the proximity of Port Harcourt and Calabar ports, noting that such market behaviour must be properly understood to avoid misguided interventions.
“In another 10 years, the concession would have lapsed. Yet we’ve lost almost 20 years already. We must ask critical questions now or risk going in circles again”, he said.
The Governor underscored the need to move beyond rhetoric to actual execution, stating that while stakeholders’ requests have been noted, his own demand for a practical solution to the transportation problem should take precedence.
He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for the visit and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and economic growth.
Earlier in his remarks, Dr Akutah Pius Ukeyima urged the State Government to throw its weight behind efforts to revive and operationalise the Isiala Ngwa Inland Dry Port, a flagship project under Nigeria’s port reform programme.
Ukeyima commended Governor Otti’s leadership and vision, describing Abia as strategically positioned to drive regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He disclosed that the dry port, gazetted in 2006 and concessioned to Eastgate Container Terminal Limited for a 30-year term, remains only about 10 percent complete due to poor infrastructure and slow equity contributions by stakeholders.
“With renewed commitment from the concessionaire and the enabling leadership of Your Excellency, we believe the IDP can transform Abia into a major logistics and trade hub for the Southeast and beyond”, Ukeyima said.
He explained that when operational, the port would provide global market access for Aba’s industrial clusters, generate thousands of jobs, and significantly enhance internally generated revenue.
The Council boss identified three key areas where Governor Otti’s intervention is urgently needed to include, provision of critical infrastructure such as access roads, electricity, and water; engagement with the concessionaire to ensure compliance with project obligations; and the establishment of a State Implementation Committee to coordinate efforts with the Council and stakeholders.
Ukeyima assured that the Council would continue to provide technical and regulatory support to bring the project to fruition.
“With your leadership, alongside the maritime sector reforms of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and the infrastructure agenda of President Bola Tinubu, we are confident that the Isiala Ngwa IDP will emerge as a continental trade gateway”, he assured.
