From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday met with the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos, where he explored opportunities to integrate the state’s local producers into broader export value chains.
Since assuming office in 2019, Zulum’s administration has prioritised the diversification of Borno’s economy while fostering a conducive environment for business and investment.
The governor was received by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, alongside Executive Director, Engr. Ibrahim Abba Umar. The visit follows a similar high-level engagement with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) last year.
During the NSC meeting, Zulum advocated for the fast-tracking of the Maiduguri Dry Inland Port, a landmark project aimed at bringing port services closer to the North-East region.
When operational, the dry inland port is expected to create thousands of jobs, generate substantial internal revenue, and enhance economic activities in Borno by reducing logistics costs and easing congestion at coastal ports.
In a related development, the Zulum administration is also working towards the full establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Banki, a border town near the Republic of Cameroon. The process is already at an advanced stage.
By concurrently advancing the Maiduguri Dry Inland Port and the Free Trade Zone in Banki, the administration is implementing a coordinated strategy to industrialise Borno, create employment opportunities, boost revenue generation, and reduce the state’s dependence on federal allocations.