Amanze ChinonyeAbia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has described the prolonged dormancy of the Isiala Ngwa Inland Dry Port as a glaring example of economic neglect and infrastructural marginalization in Nigeria’s South-East. Nineteen years after its conception, the project remains largely unexecuted, with construction reportedly under 10 percent complete as of mid-2025.
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Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Governor Otti lamented that the dry port, approved in 2006 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has not moved beyond the drawing board, despite its potential to revolutionize trade logistics for the region.
“For it to remain on the drawing table for 19 years, something is definitely wrong,” Otti said, expressing frustration over the slow progress of a facility intended to serve as a cargo-clearing hub for the South-East and South-South.
The Isiala Ngwa Inland Dry Port is one of six inland container depots greenlit by the Federal Government to decongest coastal seaports and facilitate hinterland trade under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The project was concessioned to Eastgate Inland Container Terminal Ltd with expectations of stimulating industrial export from the Aba manufacturing corridor.
However, the port’s strategic value remains compromised by a critical missing link rail connectivity. Otti emphasized that without integration into Nigeria’s modern standard-gauge rail network, the dry port’s viability remains doubtful.
“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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His remarks come amid growing national scrutiny over the exclusion of the South-East from ongoing federally funded standard-gauge railway projects. Despite being one of the country’s most commercially active zones, the region remains largely cut off from major rail corridors like the Lagos–Ibadan, Kano–Kaduna, and Lagos–Calabar lines. Instead, only narrow-gauge rehabilitation plans have been tabled for Eastern routes, drawing criticism from stakeholders who view it as systemic marginalization.
Economic and civil society groups have consistently argued that excluding the South-East from modern rail infrastructure undermines national cohesion and stifles the region’s economic growth. For Governor Otti, the lack of rail access is not just a local problem but part of a broader pattern of underinvestment in critical infrastructure across the region.
Dry port also known as inland container depots are meant to serve as logistics hubs for customs clearance, warehousing, and distribution. The Isiala Ngwa port was originally designed to link with the Port Harcourt seaport. However, that connection remains non-existent, leaving the port functionally stranded.
During the visit, NSC Executive Secretary Dr. Akutah acknowledged the dry port’s stalled progress and affirmed the federal government’s intention to revive it. He called for closer state-level collaboration, adding that the port is key to positioning Nigeria competitively under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In response, Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to fast-track the project. He committed to delivering state-led infrastructure such as access roads, electricity, and water. He also stated that Abia would prioritize the dry port’s completion over other large-scale ventures such as an airport, noting the wider trade and employment benefits the inland terminal could generate.
“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,” Otti said.
He further proposed the immediate establishment of a technical committee comprising representatives from the state government, NSC, concessionaire, and relevant federal agencies. The committee will be tasked with assessing requirements, coordinating infrastructure delivery, and eliminating administrative delays.
If completed, the Isiala Ngwa dry port is expected to significantly ease seaport congestion, cut logistics costs, support exporters in Aba and beyond, and unlock thousands of jobs across the region.
Analysts note that while Abia State’s renewed commitment marks a crucial step forward, real progress hinges on federal action particularly in addressing the South-East’s exclusion from the national rail network. Without coordinated infrastructure investment and equitable inclusion in transport planning, the dry port risks becoming yet another abandoned project in a region long underserved by critical federal development initiatives.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
