Umuahia — After eight years of dillydallying, the proposed Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Avor Ntigha in Isiala Ngwa North local government area of Abia State has began to take shape as the federal government, Abia state government and the project concessionaire have concluded agreement for the commencement of the physical development of the ICD.

The agreement for the commencement of the physical development of the ICD was signed yesterday at the site of the project with all the parties expressing their commitment to ensure full realisation of the Abia ICD believed to be the most viable of the six ICDs proposed for different parts of the country.

Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Captain Adamu Biu, in his address expressed a sense of relief that the project was finally taking shape after eight years of gestation period, adding that the ICD in Abia would be the first of such project in sub-Saharan Africa to meet international standard.

He noted that the execution of the project was not going to be easy but "we're ready to surmount all challenges" more so as the concessionaire, Eastgate Inland Terminal Limited has displayed an infectious zeal to execute the project on time and according to stipulated standard.

Chairman of Eastgate Inland Terminal Limited, Mr. Bill Nkemdirim, expressed a sense of relief that the ICD was finally taking off the ground after eight years of planning, noting that the company had during the waiting period passed through thick and thin to see to the commencement of he project.

He said the federal government has supported the project right from inception and the decision to site an ICD for the Southeast was economically and politically wise given its viability.

"It is not an understatement to say that the Southeast needs the project more than others," he said, adding that the ICD would act as a catalyst to engender all kind of development in Abia.In his address the deputy governor of Abia, Comrade Chris Akomas, who

is also the chairman of ICD implementation committee, expressed confidence that the project would be fully realised even before the 30 month completion deadline. He said that the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji has strong confidence in the viability of the project and the capacity of the concessionaire to deliver on his promise hence the state government has acquired 20 percent equity share in the venture in order to give the people a sense of ownership. According to the deputy governor, the ICD has the potential to generate lots of jobs for the teeming unemployed youths and with the over 20 companies that would operate at the Depot more jobs would be provided. However, he called on the federal government to cease the opportunity of the ICD to award contact for the construction of new rail line to connect the ICD in Abia to Calabar port, Onne port and Lagos port in order to realise the full potential of the project.