The Senate, Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber has made a strong case for the extension of the Inland Dry Ports project to Enugu in Enugu State and Onitsha in Anambra State both in the South Eastern region of the country.

To this effect, it has therefore.  directed the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, promoters of the ICD project to carry out a fresh feasibility study on the establishment of dry ports in these South Eastern states and other parts of the country.

The upper legislative chamber has also called on the Federal Government to ensure that these dry  ports were established urgently in Onitsha, Enugu, Aba, Maiduguri, Bauchi and states that are landlocked.

This, according it is in line with the efforts to accelerate the growth of trade and industry not only in the affected states but also across the Nigerian nation.

The Senate had argued that the feasibility study earlier carried out on the projects should be revisited, as it may not be in tune with current realities in the country and the global logistic chain.

The decision of the Senate to seek an extension of the project was sequel to a motion moved by Senator Stella Oduah of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, (Anambra North) on the need for the establishment of dry and inland ports in Onitsha, Enugu and other land-locked states of the Federation.

Oduah had argued that establishment of the dry ports will help facilitate commercial and industrial activities, including export and importation of raw materials and equipment for land-locked states.

“The present seports in Lagos, Calabar, Port Harcourt have been over-stretched,  the situation has become a security risk to lives and property”, She had said

The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki had while ruling on the motion mandated the two committees to ensure that the Federal Government give the project the urgent attention it deserves.

The Senate therefore directed its Committees on Transport and Works to ensure that the directive was fully adhered to.