By Nnaya Okemini
Fifteen years after lying on the drawing board and suffering several set-backs, construction of the proposed Abia Dry Port, Ntigha, in Isiala Ngwa North Council Area is set to commence in earnest and completed with 24 months.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eastgate Consultants, the concessionaire of the project, Mr. Bill Nkemdirim stated this Wednesday when he introduced the Chinese firm handling the project to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Barrister Onyebuchi Ememanka which was made available to Thisage in Umuahia, the capital, ahead of the arrival of both the concessionaire and the firm in the state Thursday.
The statement said Nkemdirim told Ikpeazu that both of them were fully prepared to commence the multi-billion Naira project which is being undertaken under a BOOT- Build, Own, Operate and Transfer arrangement for a period of thirty years.
It also stated that he said the firm which was founded in 1953, is one of the leading international engineering corporations in the world providing engineering consulting, design, procurement, construction management and commission supervision.
The concessionaire, who commended him for going the extra mile to make the project become a reality, added that when completed it will serve as the only such facility in the South East zone, it further said.
In his response, the statement noted that Ikpeazu challenged the operator to construct a 3km rail line from the project site to link Nbawsi which is a major railway stop to link the port to other parts of the country.
His words, “Apart from the direct impact on businesses, Ikpeazu added that the location of the port will catalyze the growth and development of indirect businesses around the area in addition to the provision of jobs.”
According to the statement, the governor added that the coming of the Enyimba Economic City (EEC) embarked by his administration will combine with the port to positively turn around the economy of the state and the entire zone soon.
Ikpeazu therefore used the opportunity to reiterate the total commitment of the administration to the provision of enabling economic environment that will turn the state into a choice investment destination in the country and beyond, it concluded.
