{"id":233428,"date":"2025-07-30T22:48:15","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T22:48:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/otti-slams-19-year-delay-of-isiala-ngwa-dry-port-urges-fg-to-fix-rail-links\/"},"modified":"2025-07-30T22:48:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T22:48:15","slug":"otti-slams-19-year-delay-of-isiala-ngwa-dry-port-urges-fg-to-fix-rail-links","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abiaradiostations.com.ng\/news\/otti-slams-19-year-delay-of-isiala-ngwa-dry-port-urges-fg-to-fix-rail-links\/","title":{"rendered":"Otti Slams 19-Year Delay Of Isiala Ngwa Dry Port, Urges FG To Fix Rail Links"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Otti Slams 19-Year Delay Of Isiala Ngwa Dry Port, Urges FG To Fix Rail Links<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Nearly two decades after the Isiala Ngwa Inland Dry Port (IDP) was first conceived, <a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has criticised the prolonged delay in its operationalisation and called for urgent Federal Government intervention to address critical transport infrastructure gaps, especially the absence of rail connectivity.<\/p>\n<p>Governor Otti made the call on Wednesday at his country home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Nigerian Shippers\u2019 Council, led by the Executive Secretary, Dr Akutah Pius Ukeyima.<\/p>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-217078 lazyload\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0070.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0070.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0070.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0070.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0070.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"300\" data-eio-rheight=\"200\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-217078\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0070.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0070.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0070.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0070.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0070.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-eio=\"l\"\/><\/noscript><\/div>\n<p>Describing the 19-year delay as a \u201cmajor economic loss\u201d <em>and an indictment on the project\u2019s implementation process, Governor Otti said, \u201cIsiala Ngwa IDP was well-positioned from the initial conceptualisation. But for it to remain on the drawing table for 19 years, something is definitely wrong\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The Governor identified transportation, particularly the lack of rail infrastructure, as a major bottleneck hindering the viability of inland ports across the country.<\/p>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-217079 lazyload\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"300\" data-eio-rheight=\"200\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-217079\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-eio=\"l\"\/><\/noscript><\/div>\n<p><em>\u201cThe major problem is transportation. Until we solve that problem of rail, the inland port system will remain unviable. The cheapest way to move goods is through rail. You can freight them and pay more, but that\u2019s not sustainable for business\u201d, Governor Otti stated.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>While acknowledging ongoing Federal Government investments in rail, including the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri corridor, the Governor noted that some concerns had been raised about the decision to use narrow-gauge tracks in the region.<\/p>\n<p>He, however, clarified that for cargo movement, the gauge is less of a concern compared to timely and efficient execution.<\/p>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-217075 lazyload\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0068.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0068.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0068.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0068.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0068.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"300\" data-eio-rheight=\"200\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-217075\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0068.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0068.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0068.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0068.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0068.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-eio=\"l\"\/><\/noscript><\/div>\n<p>\u201c<em>The difference between narrow and standard gauge is about 40 to 50 kilometers per hour. If the trains are carrying goods, they don\u2019t even move that fast. The real issue is in the execution,\u201d he said.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Governor Otti also pledged to engage with Federal authorities, including the Minister of Transport to resolve the challenges and expressed readiness to travel to Abuja for high-level discussions on the matter.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<em>I\u2019m happy to be part of the solution. I want the port to start working but we must ensure that when the investment is made, there\u2019s patronage. Otherwise, we\u2019ll be wasting time and money\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-217073 lazyload\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0073.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0073.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0073.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0073.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0073.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"300\" data-eio-rheight=\"200\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-217073\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0073.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0073.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0073.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0073.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0073.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-eio=\"l\"\/><\/noscript><\/div>\n<p>He further questioned why importers still prefer Lagos ports despite the proximity of Port Harcourt and Calabar ports, noting that such market behaviour must be properly understood to avoid misguided interventions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<em>In another 10 years, the concession would have lapsed. Yet we\u2019ve lost almost 20 years already. We must ask critical questions now or risk going in circles again\u201d, he said.<\/em><\/p>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-217076 lazyload\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0064.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0064.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0064.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0064.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0064.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"300\" data-eio-rheight=\"200\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-217076\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0064.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0064.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0064.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0064.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0064.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-eio=\"l\"\/><\/noscript><\/div>\n<p>The Governor underscored the need to move beyond rhetoric to actual execution, stating that while stakeholders\u2019 requests have been noted, his own demand for a practical solution to the transportation problem should take precedence.<\/p>\n<p>He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Shippers\u2019 Council for the visit and reaffirmed his administration\u2019s commitment to infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and economic growth.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier in his remarks, Dr Akutah Pius Ukeyima urged the State Government to throw its weight behind efforts to revive and operationalise the Isiala Ngwa Inland Dry Port, a flagship project under Nigeria\u2019s port reform programme.<\/p>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-217074 lazyload\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0067.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0067.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0067.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0067.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0067.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"300\" data-eio-rheight=\"200\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-217074\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0067.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0067.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0067.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0067.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0067.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-eio=\"l\"\/><\/noscript><\/div>\n<p>Ukeyima commended Governor Otti\u2019s leadership and vision, describing <a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>as strategically positioned to drive regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).<\/p>\n<p>He disclosed that the dry port, gazetted in 2006 and concessioned to Eastgate Container Terminal Limited for a 30-year term, remains only about 10 percent complete due to poor infrastructure and slow equity contributions by stakeholders.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<em>With renewed commitment from the concessionaire and the enabling leadership of Your Excellency, we believe the IDP can transform <a href=\"https:\/\/abianewscentral.com.ng\/abia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Abia <\/a>into a major logistics and trade hub for the Southeast and beyond\u201d, Ukeyima said.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>He explained that when operational, the port would provide global market access for Aba\u2019s industrial clusters, generate thousands of jobs, and significantly enhance internally generated revenue.<\/p>\n<div dir=\"auto\"><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-217079 lazyload\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"300\" data-eio-rheight=\"200\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-217079\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/IMG-20250730-WA0066.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-eio=\"l\"\/><\/noscript><\/div>\n<p>The Council boss identified three key areas where Governor Otti\u2019s intervention is urgently needed to include, provision of critical infrastructure such as access roads, electricity, and water; engagement with the concessionaire to ensure compliance with project obligations; and the establishment of a State Implementation Committee to coordinate efforts with the Council and stakeholders.<\/p>\n<p>Ukeyima assured that the Council would continue to provide technical and regulatory support to bring the project to fruition.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<em>With your leadership, alongside the maritime sector reforms of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and the infrastructure agenda of President Bola Tinubu, we are confident that the Isiala Ngwa IDP will emerge as a continental trade gateway\u201d, he assured.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"sharedaddy sd-block sd-like jetpack-likes-widget-wrapper jetpack-likes-widget-unloaded\" id=\"like-post-wrapper-220085326-217072-688a94d03094b\" data-src=\"https:\/\/widgets.wp.com\/likes\/?ver=14.8#blog_id=220085326&amp;post_id=217072&amp;origin=nationalambassadorngr.com&amp;obj_id=220085326-217072-688a94d03094b\" data-name=\"like-post-frame-220085326-217072-688a94d03094b\" data-title=\"Like or Reblog\">\n<h3 class=\"sd-title\">Like this:<\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"button\"><span>Like<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"loading\">Loading&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"sd-text-color\"\/><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"sd-link-color\"\/><\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"jp-relatedposts-headline\"><em>Related<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nationalambassadorngr.com\/otti-slams-19-year-delay-of-isiala-ngwa-dry-port-urges-fg-to-fix-rail-links\/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=otti-slams-19-year-delay-of-isiala-ngwa-dry-port-urges-fg-to-fix-rail-links\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Otti Slams 19-Year Delay Of Isiala Ngwa Dry Port, Urges FG To Fix Rail Links Nearly two decades after the Isiala Ngwa Inland Dry Port (IDP) was first conceived, Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has criticised the prolonged delay in its operationalisation and called for urgent Federal Government intervention to address critical transport infrastructure 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