THE House of Representatives, on Thursday, November 16, in Abuja, adopted a motion seeking to establish an inland dry port at Emene in Enugu state.
The motion was sponsored by Paul Nnamchi, representing Enugu East/Isi Uzo federal constituency, and 14 other members.
Consequently, the House mandated its committee on ports and harbour to liaise with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) management and develop a workable modality to ensure a speedy establishment of the port as soon as possible.
Leading the debate in support of the motion titled, “Urgent Need for Federal Government to Establish Inland Dry Port at Emene Enugu State,” Nnamchi, professor, described the inland dry port as a secured location for temporary storage, inspection, and a place for Customs’ release of import and export goods.
He said Enugu as the former regional capital of the East Central State and hosting numerous big companies like Anambra Motor Company (ANAMCO), Emene Aluminum Company, Sunrise Floor Mills, Eastern Plastics, Nigersteel, NNPC Depot, and the international airport, was well suited for the dry port.
Nnamchi explained that the proximity of Customs, Immigration, and the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army to the suggested site for the port was an added advantage for its security.
The lawmaker also stated that he and his colleagues considered siting the project at Emene as being very strategic in fostering economic, industrial development, and regional linkage because of its nearness to several north-central states.
“We also feel that the usual undue bureaucratic bottlenecks in clearing and forwarding processes at major ports can be reduced with an Emene Inland Dry Port”, Nnamchi observed, adding that the lack of inland port in Enugu hindered the potentials of the people of the south-east and its northern neighbours.
Co-sponsors of the motion are representatives Chimaobi Atu, Peter Aniekwe, Mark Obetta, Sunday Umeha, Emeka Chinedu, and Obi Aguocha.
The list includes Chinedu Oga, Essex Mark Udo, Koki Sagittarius Ibrahim, Nyanya Zaharia Dauda, Isiaka Ibrahim, Hon. Boba Goodhead, Anayo Onwuegbu, and Ali Isa.