NPA moves to fix rail, logistics gaps at inland dry ports
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has moved to address rail connectivity and logistics challenges affecting inland dry ports as part of efforts to integrate the facilities into the nation’s port system and improve…
Inland dry ports were established across Nigeria to decongest the country's major seaports in Lagos and Port Harcourt by allowing importers and exporters to clear cargo and process customs documentation away from the coast, with goods then moved inland by rail or road. Facilities in cities such as Kano, Kaduna, Funtua and Isiala-Ngwa were designed to extend port services closer to businesses in the hinterland, but years after their commissioning many have struggled to operate at capacity, hampered by poor rail links, inadequate road networks and weak coordination with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other agencies overseeing cargo evacuation.
The NPA's latest move to tackle these rail and logistics gaps speaks to a long-standing complaint from shippers and freight forwarders that dry ports have not delivered on their promise of cheaper, faster inland cargo handling. Both Tribune Online and Leadership report the development in near-identical terms, focusing on the NPA's stated intent to integrate the facilities more fully into the national port system. Neither report yet details the specific investments, timelines or rail projects involved, nor which dry ports will be prioritised — details likely to emerge as the authority's plans take shape.