At a recent meeting of stakeholders in the maritime sector, attention/requests were tailored towards meeting the economic needs of maritime communities especially in Kebbi state.
Not too long ago, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council organised a town hall consultative meeting with Dolekaina community in Dandi local government area of Kebbi state on the need to advance economic activities of the area in order to have impact on the state and the nation.
Dolekaina is a marine community on the bank of the River Niger, bordering the Republic of Benin and Niger Republic.
Discussions/requests
Discussions centred on dredging the River Niger to pave way for the construction of deep water port to enhance marine transportation for import and export of goods and services to all parts of the world.
Other issues examined at the forum were aimed at devising solutions to annual flooding in the area, boosting of electricity supply, provision of ferries and jetties, marketability of products, establishment of rice mills and possession of processing machines.
Explaining reason(s) for summit
The director general of Kebbi State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), Dr Kabir Kamba, on whose invitation, officials of the Shippers’ Council were in the state, informed the gathering that the agency received letter of requests on a number of issues from the Dolekaina District Development Association (DODDA).
It was on that note that KIPA wrote invitations to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, the Border Community Development Commission and N-HYPPADEC, according to him.
“The North-west regional head of Shippers’ Council based in Kano, Hajiya Karima Usman is here again to intervene or offer the necessary advice. This is her second visit to Dandi local government area recently, she came here when traders and merchants in Kamba complained about the inconveniences of check points and roadblocks, numbering 42 on a stretch of 130 km road between Kamba and Birnin Kebbi, hindering smooth movement of merchandise.
“Her presence alone and the publicity of the visit remedied the matter, the reason for which many of the check points were dismantled entirely.
“As an investment entity, Governor Nasir Idris has given us the mandate to remove any barrier and all obstacles to free trade anywhere in the state.
“Furthermore, the governor has empowered the agency to seek and attract investments into Kebbi from any part of the country and beyond. Dolekaina, which is a sea border town, has immense potential for economic growth and prosperity of Kebbi and Nigeria. I was reliably informed that a certain businessman exported onions worth 40 million dollars through the Dolekaina trading outlet,” Dr Kamba said.
Presentations
In his presentation, the state assembly member, Dr Suleiman Fana, told the people that Governor Nasir Idris has consented to the provision of electricity to Dolekaina along with other towns and villages in the area, as well as the construction of Dolekaina township roads and drainages.
He said, “Dolekaina is an important trade sanctuary with water transport linking the Republics of Niger and Benin as well as other ECOWAS countries. Priority must be placed on dredging the River Niger for the establishment of sea port at Dolekaina that would pave way for international shipping, enabling vessels carrying goods from Europe to berth directly at the port.
“This would be a monumental boost to economic prosperity of our nation,” Dr Fana said.
In response to the matters discussed, the North-west regional head of the Council, Hajiya Karima Usman was delighted about the positive impact of her previous visit to Dandi local government on the issue of multiple check points from Kamba to Birnin Kebbi which have reduced by 60%.
She said, “I’ve listened to your agitations; some of them are not under the authority of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
“Nevertheless, I will talk to our executive secretary to intervene on your behalf by speaking to the relevant agencies.
“On the issue of rice mills and processing machines, Kebbi state government can intervene to facilitate their acquisition. Partnership can also be entered into with the National Incubation Centre to fabricate home made machines as a starter.
“The provision of jetties and ferries is the responsibility of the Nigerian Ports Authority, (NPA) while the dredging of the River Niger comes under the purview of the National Inland Water Ways Authority, (NIWA).
“On the marketability of goods, I would advocate the setting up of an Export Free Zone in Dolekaina by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council where merchandise and services could be marketed for import and export with lesser taxes.
“The National Emergency Relief Agency (NEMA) handles the problem of flooding and remedy”,
“I will make the necessary efforts through the head of our Council towards attaining the various requests,” Hajiya Karima assured.
Prior to the meeting, the Shippers’ Council delegation in company of KIPA DG paid courtesy call on the chairman of Dandi local government, Dr Mansur at the Council Secretariat and were received by the vice chairman, Hon Bala Isa Umar.
They also paid homage to Sarkin Shiko Kamba, Alhaji Mamuda Zarumai Fana at his palace and to Marafan Dolekaina, Mamuda Muhammad Bello Marafa, at his palace in Dolekaina.
After the forum, the visiting officials donned life jackets and took a tour aboard speed boats to the maritime borders between Dolekaina and the neighbouring Republics of Niger and Benin from the Mashaya water front in Dolekaina.
Who’s who?
Speakers at the consultative meeting included the District Head of the area, (Marafan Dolekaina), Alhaji Mamuda Muhammad Bello Marafa, the chairman, Dolekaina Development Association, (DODDA), Alhaji Sani Shekare Dole, the vice chairman, Dandi local government, Hon Bala Isa Umar and the District Head of Kamba, (Sarkin Shiko Kamba), Alhaji Mamuda Zarumai Fana.
Others include the member, Kebbi State House of Assembly representing Dandi Constituency, Dr Suleiman Abubakar Fana, Kebbi state director of National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mallam Nasiru Karofi, SA communication and strategy, to Kebbi state governor, Abdullahi Idris Zuru, District Head of neighbouring Dole Faransi in Niger Republic, Yamman Dole and former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Egypt, Amb Sani Dole, Magajin Dolekaina.
Also to mount the rostrum, were a retired director of the DSS, Sanusi Kamba, (Makamam Dandi) and Col Sani Dole (rtd).
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