Nigerian Shippers’ Council Highlights Kebbi’s Economic Potentials As Local Businessman Exports $40m Onions


By John Bassey, Birnin Kebbi

The massive economic potentials of Kebbi State took centre stage when top officials of Nigerian Shippers’ Council came calling to the North-West Nigerian State.

Aspects of the potentials, particularly the vast water body located in Dolekaina, Dandi Local Government Area (LGA), suitable for shipping and fishing activities, were highlighted.

Nigerian Shippers’ Council was established under military rule in 1978 but the decrees governing its existence later became Act Cap. N133, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004,under civilian democratic rule. The Council is Nigeria’s port economic regulator.

A delegation from the Council held a town hall consultative meeting with the Dolekaina community on Thursday to explore ways to boost economic activities for the benefit of both the state and nation.

Dolekaina is a marine community on the edge of the River Niger contiguous to the Republics of Benin and Niger.

It serves as an economic hub linking several African countries and is of strategic importance for trade.

Discussions at the meeting focused on dredging the River Niger to facilitate the construction of a deep water port to enhance marine transportation and promote international trade.

Other key issues included addressing annual flooding, improving electricity supply, providing ferries and jetties, marketing local products, and establishing rice mills with processing machines.

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Setting the ball rolling, Director General (DG), Kebbi State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), Dr Kabir Kamba, who invited the Shippers’ Council officials, said that the agency had received multiple requests from the Dolekaina District Development Association (DODDA) over possible utilization of the area’s potentials.

According to him, in response to the community’s requests, KIPA invited the Council, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the Border Community Development Commission (BCDC), and National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) to engage with the community.

In her speech, the North-West Regional Head of Shippers’ Council, Hajiya Karima Usman, highlighted her previous visit to Dandi LGA, during which, she said, she intervened in addressing the debilitating issue of 42 checkpoints along the Kamba-Birnin Kebbi road that hindered trade.

According to Usmay, due to her efforts, many of the checkpoints were dismantled, easing the movement of goods.

Lending his voice, Dr. Kamba reaffirmed Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris’ commitment to removing trade barriers and attracting investments to the state.

“Dolekaina, as a sea border town, has immense economic potential. A businessman reportedly exported onions worth $40 million through its trading route,” Dr. Kamba stated.

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He emphasized the importance of dredging the River Niger to enable the establishment of a seaport for direct international shipping to and from Europe.

Dignitaries who spoke at the meeting included the Sarkin Shiko Kamba, Alhaji Mamuda Zarumai Fana; the District Head of Dolekaina, who also holds the traditional title of Marafan Dolekaina, Alhaji Mamuda Muhammad Bello Marafa; Chairman of DODDA, Alhaji Sani Shekare Dole; Vice Chairman of Dandi LGA, Hon. Bala Isa Umar; and a member of the State House of Assembly, representing Dandi constituency, Hon. (Dr.) Suleiman Abubakar Fana.

Others included Kebbi State Director, National Orientation Agency (NIA), Mallam Nasiru Karofi, and Magajin Dolekaina, Ambassador Sani Dole.

Taking his turn to speak, Hon. Fana disclosed that Gov. Idris had approved the provision of electricity to Dolekaina and neighboring communities, alongside the construction of township roads and drainages.

He reiterated the town’s trade significance, calling for priority to be placed on developing its maritime infrastructure.

Responding to these, Hajiya Usman lauded Dolekaina for its economic potentials.

She acknowledged the community’s concerns but clarified that some issues such as dredging and ferry provision fall under the responsibilities of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

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She pledged to advocate for the establishment of an Export Free Zone (EFZ) in Dolekaina through the NEPC which would boost trade with reduced taxation.

On flooding, she said that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) could address such concerns.

Hajiya Usman assured the community that she would channel their demands through the Executive Secretary of Shippers’ Council for necessary interventions.

On the establishment of rice mills and processing machines, the Regional Head suggested that the State Government and the National Incubation Centre could collaborate to provide locally fabricated solutions.

Before commencing the town hall meeting, the Shippers’ Council delegation, alongside KIPA DG, paid courtesy visits to the Chairman of Dandi LGA, Dr. Mansur, where they were received by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Bala Isa Umar.

They also visited the palaces of Sarkin Shiko Kamba, Alhaji Mamuda Zarumai Fana, and the Marafan Dolekaina, Mamuda Muhammad Bello Marafa.

To round off their visit, the delegation embarked on a tour of the maritime borders from Dolekaina, Niger Republic, and Benin Republic aboard speedboats from the Mashaya waterfront.


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