By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The House of Representativeness on Thursday adopted a motion seeking to establish inland dry port at Emene in Enugu State.
The motion was being sponsored by Honourable Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi of Enugu East/ISi Uzo Federal Constituency of Enugu State and fourteen other members.
The House consequently mandated it’s Committee on Ports and Harbour to liaise with the management of Nigerian Ports Authority, (NPA) and come up with a workable modality that would ensure speedy establishment of inland port at Emene 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 “, Professor Nnamchi described inland dry port as a secured location for temporary storage, inspection and Customs’ release of import and export goods.
He emphasized that Enugu as 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 international airport was well suited for the dry port.
Professor Nnamch further noted that the proximity of Customs, Immigration and the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army to the suggested site for the port were an added advantage for its security.
The lawmaker also stated that he and his colleagues considered siting the project at Emene very strategic in fostering economic and industrial development and regional connectivity 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”, Professor Nnamchi observed, adding that lack of inland port in Enugu, the former capital of Eastern Region was hindering the potentials of the people of the Southeast and its northern Neighbour’s.
Co-sponsors of the motion were Hon. Chimaobi Atu, Hon. Peter Aniekwe, Hon. Mark Obetta, Hon. Sunday Umeha, Hon. Emeka Chinedu and Hon. Obi Aguocha.
Others include Hon. Chinedu Oga, Hon. Essex Mark Udo, Hon. Koki Sagittarius Ibrahim, Nyanya Zaharia Dauda, Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim, Hon. Boba Goodhead, Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu and Hon. Ali Isa JC.
