South East Economy Suffering Due To Non Completion Of Ntigha Inland Dry Port – Gov Otti

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, lamented the prolonged delay in the completion and operationalization of the Ntigha Inland Dry Port in the Isialanwa, Ngwa North Local Council of the State.

The Governor, also, singled out lack of reliable and functional rail network in the South East as a major obstacle to the viability of the Dry port.

The Source reports that the project conceived and commenced in 2006 as a  trading and logistics hub for the  South East region, has regrettably remained a mirage.

Instructively, while the project has continued to be on the drawing board, others which were conceived years after it across the country, have come on stream.

Despite its potentials to the growth and development of the  both  the South East region and Nigeria’s Economy, the project has continued to be stalled.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Management of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Governor Otti called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgent necessity, prioritize the completion of the Dry Port.

He urged the Federal authorities to address the challenges presently stalling the completion and operationalization of the all- important infrastructural facility.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Ukoha Ukoha, the Otti  expressed serious concern that the continued delay in the completion of the facility is hugely robbing the economy of the beneficiary States and the country at large.

This is as he equally decried the poor, or complete lack of reliable and functional rail network in the region. He noted that it has negatively impacted  the Dry Port project.

According to Governor Otti, the absence of reliable rail connectivity is a major obstacle to the viability of the Inland Dry Port.

He emphasized the importance of a functional rail network to the transportation of goods from the Seaports to the Dry Ports, noting that it remains the cheapest and most efficient means of transportation in the country.

“Isialanwa Ngwa Inland Dry Port was well-positioned from the initial conceptualization. But for it to remain on the drawing board for 19 years shows that something is definitely wrong.

“The major problem is that of transportation. Until we resolve the problem of lack of reliable and functional rail network in the region, the Inland Dry Port project will remain unviable.

“It is a well known fact that the cheapest means of moving goods and services is by rail. You can freight goods ,and pay more. But that is not a good business idea, and will not be sustainable”, Governor Otti stated.

While appreciating the Federal Government for its ongoing investments in rail infrastructure in the region,  , including the Port Harcourt/Maiduguri corridor, he called for converted efforts and more commitment.

He assured of the readiness and commitment of Abia State Government in actively collaborating with the Federal authorities, particularly, the Federal Ministry of Transportation in addressing the identified challenges.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary  of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Dr Pius Ukeyima , while commending the visionary leadership of the Abia State Governor, also admitted the State’s  strategic position in the overall efforts at driving the regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area AFCFTA.

He noted that the Isialanwa Ngwa Inland Dry Port which was gazetted in 2006, was concessioned to Eastgate Container Terminal Limited for an initial period of 30 years.

He emphasized that the Dry Port, when fully operational, will provide direct access to global markets for Aba’s popular industrial clusters and SMEs, as well as generate thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities.