Amanze ChinonyeAbia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has decried the 19-year delay in the completion of the Isiala Ngwa Inland Dry Port, describing it as a glaring economic failure and missed opportunity for the South-East region.
Speaking during a recent courtesy visit by a delegation from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), led by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Governor Otti lamented that the project, which was conceptualized and gazetted in 2006, has remained largely undeveloped despite its strategic importance.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“For it to remain on the drawing table for 19 years, something is definitely wrong,” the governor said, expressing frustration that despite its groundbreaking under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the project has seen little progress.
The Isiala Ngwa Inland Dry Port is one of six inland container depots approved by the Federal Government nearly two decades ago. The goal was to decentralize port operations, decongest Nigeria’s overstretched seaports, and facilitate trade in the hinterlands. The Abia facility was concessioned to Eastgate Inland Container Terminal Ltd under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement, with expectations that it would become a cargo-clearing hub for the South-East and South-South zones, especially the Aba industrial corridor.
However, progress on the site has been minimal, with construction estimated at less than 10 percent complete as of mid-2025.
Governor Otti stressed that the viability of the dry port depends heavily on rail connectivity. “Without efficient rail infrastructure, this project won’t take off. The cost of moving cargo by road is simply too high, and it defeats the purpose of establishing a dry port,” he warned.
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Dry ports also known as inland container depots are logistics hubs located away from traditional coastal ports. They serve as centers for customs clearance, warehousing, and cargo distribution, often directly connected to seaports via rail. The Isiala Ngwa dry port was designed to link with the Port Harcourt seaport but currently lacks the critical rail line needed to make such connectivity feasible.
During the visit, the NSC Executive Secretary, Dr. Akutah, acknowledged the port’s economic potential and sought the state’s renewed cooperation to overcome the setbacks. He said the federal government remains committed to operationalizing the project, which is expected to promote regional trade and position Nigeria to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s willingness to support the dry port’s completion by providing essential infrastructure such as access roads, electricity, and water. He noted that the state would prioritize the inland port project over other large-scale infrastructure such as an airport, citing the former’s broader economic benefits.
“This is a critical infrastructure project for our state and the region. It must no longer be business as usual. We are ready to work with all stakeholders to move from talk to action,” he stated.
To that end, the governor called for the immediate formation of a technical committee comprising representatives of the Abia State Government, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, concessionaire, and relevant federal agencies. The committee, he said, will be tasked with reviewing project requirements, coordinating infrastructure delivery, and removing administrative bottlenecks.
The Isiala Ngwa port, if completed, is expected to facilitate export processing for manufacturers in Aba and other parts of the region, reduce congestion at seaports, lower logistics costs for importers, and create thousands of jobs.
Despite being one of the earliest inland port concessions, the Abia facility remains among the least developed. Analysts say sustained political will, targeted infrastructure investment, and effective intergovernmental collaboration will be required to unlock its full potential.
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