The Funtua Inland Dry Port in Katsina State has officially commenced operations, receiving its first cargo shipments on Monday. This marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to expand shipping services to the hinterland, an initiative spearheaded by the Nigerian Shippers Council.
Representing the CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Dr. Pius U. Akutah, the Director of the Northwest Coordinating Office, Hajiya Kareematu Usman, encouraged the Funtua community and regional businessmen to take advantage of the economic opportunities provided by the port.
Katsina State’s Customs Controller, Idris Abba Aji, expressed satisfaction with the port’s readiness and emphasized the importance of compliance with regulations for seamless operations. The Managing Director of the port, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Dodo, assured stakeholders of the port’s efficiency, stating that it can receive goods from Lagos within two days.
Additionally, the port’s chairman, Dr. Umar Mutallab—represented by Alhaji Tijjani Dandutse—disclosed plans to transform Funtua into a major business hub. A memorandum of understanding has already been signed with Niger and Chad Republics to facilitate trade.
The port expects to receive eight more containers in the coming weeks, promising to significantly cut Niger’s import time from three months to just weeks.