Nigerian Ports Authority Works to Improve Rail and Logistics at Inland Dry Ports

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is taking steps to improve rail connections and logistics at inland dry ports. This effort aims to better integrate these facilities into the national port system and enhance cargo movement across Nigeria.

This initiative follows a meeting at the NPA’s headquarters in Lagos, where NPA Managing Director Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho met with Mr. Ahmad Rabiu, Executive Director of Dala Inland Dry Port, and representatives from Funtua Inland Dry Port. The meeting was prompted by a directive from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, to transfer operational oversight of inland dry ports to the NPA.

During the meeting, Dantsoho emphasized the importance of upgrading the infrastructure and technical capabilities of inland dry ports. He noted that these facilities must be ready to handle increasing cargo volumes and support the modernization of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

He stated, “For our Inland Dry Ports to function at the same velocity as the ongoing modernization across our seaports, we must proactively upgrade dry port infrastructure and technical capacity.” Dantsoho also highlighted the need for private-sector investment in these ports, citing APM Terminals’ establishment of an Export Processing Terminal in Northern Nigeria as a positive example.

The NPA plans to visit the Dala and Funtua inland dry ports to assess their conditions and infrastructure needs. Hassan Bello, speaking for the delegation, welcomed the oversight transfer to the NPA and acknowledged the challenges faced by these facilities, particularly regarding rail connectivity.

Efficient rail access is crucial for inland dry port operations, as it helps move cargo between seaports and inland areas, potentially reducing road transport pressure and lowering logistics costs. The meeting also set the stage for further discussions on technical assessments and infrastructure planning to improve operations at these ports.