Negotiations between the Federal Government and China Railway Construction Corporation Limited for the construction of the Ibadan Inland Dry Port is nearing completion, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council announced on Sunday.
The CRCC is the preferred bidder for the proposed dry port to be established in the capital of Oyo State.
The NSC, which described this as a major milestone, is the guarantor to the concession of the proposed 80,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit capacity dry port to be built on the basis of public-private partnership agreement.
It said in a statement issued in Abuja by the Head, Public Relations, NSC, Rakiya Zubairu, that on completion, the facility would help address the problem of port congestion and gridlock in Apapa, Lagos.
The council said the Ibadan facility would be designated a port of destination where cargo would be consolidated for import and export, especially in the south-western part of Nigeria.
“Among other uses, the dry port will provide a competitive cargo sorting centre, bulk breaking as well as cargo-tracking and truck management services,” Zubairu said.
The council said, “This project, which has been estimated at $94m (N43.24bn), will boost employment in Oyo State and other cities in the environs.”
It said the Lagos-Kano standard gauge railway, currently under construction, was aligned to the proposed dry port, making it easy to convey cargo from the seaports in Lagos and to all destinations along the route.
The NSC said the negotiations emphasised the utilisation of local content at each stage of development and operation of the facility.
It said, “Having concluded this stage, an updated full business case compliance report will be produced. A draft agreement will be presented to the Federal Ministry of Justice and sent to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission for vetting.
“After that, the Minister of Transportation will present the agreement to the Federal Executive Council. The concessionaire will then be taken to the site for sod-turning. It is expected that construction will commence immediately after the ceremony. The timeline for completion is 12 months.”
The council noted that the negotiations were moderated by the Federal Ministry of Transportation led by the acting Permanent Secretary and the Director, Maritime Services, Auwalu Suleiman.
Other persons involved in the negotiations include the Director-General, ICRC, Chidi Izuwa, and a representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Jummai Katagum.
The four-day negotiations also had the Secretary to Government of Oyo State, Olubamiwo Adeosun, in attendance, while the CRCC was led by its Deputy Managing Director, Jacques Liao.
FG to earn $20bn yearly from creative industry –Emefiele•We ‘ll turn National Theatre to international assets-Sanwo-Ol
Following the Federal Government’s handing over of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for creative initiatives capable of generating over $20 billion for the Federal Government, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has promised to help transform the facility to an international asset the citizens can be proud of.
According to Sanwo-Olu, there is no way the nation can join the league of the 21st century economies if it cannot develop its creative industry. “It is about bringing better infrastructure. The creative industry will change the future of Nigeria. It will be a shame to us if we don’t do what we are doing today. Any idea without finance will remain just an idea,” he said.
He added that in the next 22 months, “ we will bringing Mr President here to witness the commission of the transformed National Theatre. It will bring about the regeneration of the entire neighborhood. The areas will witness a new lease of life.We will turn this place to an international asset”, he added.
In his address, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, noted that upon completion the “area would have transformed into Nigeria’s Creative industrial Center which will be comparable to other world class entertainment and convention Centers in any part of the world”, adding that the country “has the potential to earn over $20billion annually from the creative industry.”
His words: “The Creative Center, which comprises Music, Movies, Fashion and ICT can be a key source of growth for our economy creating up to One Million jobs for our teaming Youths. It will also aid our objective of reducing our dependence on revenues from crude oil. India for example in 2018, generated over $240billion from exports of IT, Movies, Music and Fashion related goods and services. This amount is over 5 times our annual earnings from the sale of crude oil. With our human capital resources and an enabling environment that will help harness the creative talents of our youths, Nigeria has the potential to earn over $20billion annually from the creative industry.
“With the growing demand for Nigerian music, movies and fashion, across Africa and in various parts of the globe, our creative industries, are spurring innovation,creating jobs, and helping to shape perceptions of Nigeria, as a nation with a strong spirit of creativity and ingenuity. We must do more to encourage the innovative works of these young talented Nigerians as they can make significant contributions to the growth and development of our country.Second, given our growing population of close to 200 million people, out of which 60 percent are under the age of 35, it is imperative that we strive to create opportunities that will keep our youths engaged, as it would portend great dangers for the progress of our nation if we allow these talents go to waste.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also used the occasion to correct the notion of sale of the structure to the Bankers’ Committee. According to him, “the iconic National Theatre remains a National Heritage and will not be ceded to any person or group as some has chosen to frame what we are doing today. What we are here to do is to hand over the National Theatre for restoration , upgrade and also the 134 hectares of fallow land within the premises to the Central Bank and Banker’s Committee for development. The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture will continue to hold the keys of the National Theatre on behalf of all Nigerians.”
This was as the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for renewing his commitment to providing opportunities for Nigerian youth. He said: “Today’s event is another giant step towards strengthening President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to create opportunities for our teeming youth.
