Plateau Govt May Take Over Jos Dry Port Project as Foundation Concessionaire Considers Pulling Out
By Francis Ugwoke
Foundation concessionaire of Jos Inland Dry Port (IDP) Duncan Maritime Ventures, may have decided to pull out of the dry port project in Heipang, Plateau State.
If the company pulls out, Plateau State Government may take over the project, a source told SHIPPING DAY.
The reason for planning to pull out is not clear to SHIPPING Day, but may not be unconnected with the long delay experienced in executing the project and the pressure on the part of the government for the project to be completed.
A discussion on what will happen next and possible pull out of the company was held Thursday in the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC).
The Director Inland Transport Services, NSC, Mr. Akintunde Makinde and representatives of Duncan had held a meeting at Apapa headoffice of the ports economic regulator.
The current decision to pull out of the project and allow new investor to take over followed a directive from the federal government that all IDP projects should be completed as soon as possible.
Managing Director of Duncan Maritime Ltd, Mr. Bartho Nyelong, had during the meeting explained that the company’s decision was as a result of its challenges in completing the project.
The NSC had conveyed this directive to the dry ports concessionaires.
In apparent testimony of its readiness to take over the project from the foundation concessionaire, a representative of the Plateau State Government, Mr. Ezekiel Gomos, attended the Thursday meeting.
Gomos disclosed during the meeting that the state government was very passionate about the project, adding that the opportunities in dry ports will boost the economy of the state.
Another representative of the Plateau state government, Engr. David J. Wuyep, also expressed the desire of the government to enter into partnership to ensure that the dry port project gets off the ground.
Wuyep said the state government was ready to tackle any security challenge in respect of the project.
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