NPA Moves To Intergrate Inland Dry Ports As Dantsoho Hosts Dala, Funtua Executives

NPA Moves To Intergrate Inland Dry Ports As Dantsoho
Hosts Dala, Funtua Executives

… $1bn Apapa, Tin Can modernisation to extend to hinterland hubs; PCS, Single Window to link dry ports

By Success Okezie

Lagos — The push for a seamless national port system gained fresh momentum as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, hosted the management of Dala and Funtua Inland Dry Ports at the Authority’s Corporate Headquarters, Marina, Lagos.

The high-level familiarisation visit comes on the heels of the strategic directive by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, transferring operational oversight of all Inland Dry Ports in the country to the NPA.

The meeting, led by Dr. Dantsoho on the NPA side and Mr. Ahmad Rabiu, Executive Director of Dala Inland Dry Port and representatives of Funtua Inland Dry Port on the other, was convened to streamline operations, deepen institutional collaboration and fast-track Ease of Doing Business across Nigeria’s maritime logistics chain.

Addressing the delegation, Dr. Dantsoho stressed that the ongoing transformation at Nigeria’s seaports must be mirrored in the hinterland if the nation is to reap the full benefits of port modernisation.

He referenced the $1 billion loan facility recently secured for the comprehensive modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports, noting that hinterland logistics must be upgraded to keep pace.

“For our Inland Dry Ports to function at the same velocity as the ongoing modernisation across our seaports, we must proactively upgrade dry port infrastructure and technical capacity,” Dr. Dantsoho declared.

“As we integrate digital systems such as the Port Community System (PCS) and the National Single Window in our seaports, the dry ports must deploy modern equipment and advanced technical capabilities to handle larger cargo volumes and bigger vessels coming to our coast.”

The NPA boss commended existing private sector investments in the ecosystem, citing APM Terminals’ establishment of an Export Processing Terminal in Northern Nigeria, while calling for more private capital injection into dry port operations.

He assured that “the journey toward an optimised inland port system is just beginning,” confirming plans for official inspection visits to both Dala and Funtua facilities in the coming weeks.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Hassan Bello thanked the NPA for the seamless transition of oversight and referenced the gazetted Port Act which designates Inland Dry Ports as official ports of origin and destination.

He, however, highlighted critical operational bottlenecks stifling hinterland hubs, particularly poor rail connectivity and systemic logistics constraints that hamper cargo evacuation to and from the seaports.

The bilateral engagement established a robust framework for technical consultation, infrastructure integration and physical planning, with both parties identifying key considerations relating to infrastructure access, site conditions and project planning within the dry port environment.

Stakeholders agreed that the issues raised underscore the need for deeper technical assessment and sustained stakeholder coordination before final project decisions are taken.

A structured follow-up process, backed by physical inspection and technical review, will now be activated to establish a clearer basis for subsequent project development and execution.

Industry watchers say the integration of inland dry ports under NPA oversight is expected to decongest the seaports, reduce cost of doing business, and bring port services closer to shippers in the hinterland, in line with global best practices

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Okezie Nnadi

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