NPA Moves to Improve Inland Dry Port Operations Through New Partnership

NPA Moves to Improve Inland Dry Port Operations Through New Partnership

Funke Akinbobola

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has stepped up efforts to improve inland dry port operations following a meeting with representatives of Dala Inland Dry Port and Funtua Inland Dry Port in Lagos.

The Managing Director of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, received the Executive Director of Dala Inland Dry Port, Barrister Hassan Bello, and members of the Funtua Inland Dry Port delegation at the Authority’s corporate headquarters in Marina, Lagos, on Thursday.

The meeting served as a familiarisation visit following the transfer of inland dry port management and development functions from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to the NPA.

According to the Authority, discussions focused on strengthening cooperation, improving operational efficiency and simplifying business processes across Nigeria’s maritime logistics network.

The Federal Government announced the transfer on September 3 through the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. The decision followed changes in the regulation and administration of Nigeria’s port sector.

The restructuring aims to separate port economic regulation from port development and operations. Under the new arrangement, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is transitioning into the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA).

Dantsoho has described the transfer of inland dry ports to the NPA as an opportunity to improve trade and reduce logistics challenges for businesses outside Nigeria’s coastal regions.

He explained that the arrangement would allow exporters in northern and central Nigeria to complete port clearance and documentation closer to where they produce their goods, reducing the need to transport raw commodities to coastal ports before processing the required documentation.

Hassan Bello’s involvement in the development is also significant. During his tenure as Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, he played a major role in promoting Nigeria’s inland dry port programme, including the Dala Inland Dry Port project in Kano State.

Meanwhile, the NPA and NPERA have agreed to strengthen cooperation to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.

The two agencies have also established a committee to address operational challenges, streamline administrative procedures and prevent duplication of responsibilities across inland dry ports.

The initiative is expected to support more efficient port operations and improve access to trade infrastructure for businesses across the country.