The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has commended the Enugu State Government for donating 50 hectares of land to build an ultra-modern truck park in Obollo Afor community on the Enugu-Nsukka-Obollo-Afor Expressway.
Speaking at the ongoing 2017 Enugu International Trade Fair, the Deputy Director of the council, Mr Gloryn Onojedo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the park would provide parking spaces for 1,000 trucks when completed.
He noted that there would be provision for car park, hotel, motel, restaurants, police station, security house and clinic within the park.
He also said the park project was one way the council would help in removing vehicles, especially trucks on the highway in the Enugu and Kogi axis.
Onojedo said that a private investor through an arrangement with the council would build and deliver the project in a year time.
“This is one of the best things to have happened to our drivers and truck operators who spend days conveying goods from one part of the country to another.
“It will provide a decent rest place for them, where the goods they are conveying would be safe as well as provide other services they need while passing the night.
“The police and park security guards would ensure that both goods, truck and drivers are safe both day and night,” he said.
The deputy director said that it would also be a win-win situation as the state government and the Federal Government through the council would be generating revenue from the park.
“The local market and people are not left out as their products and services would witness increased patronage,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the Enugu International Trade Fair, which is being supported by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, is organised to showcase Nigeria’s non-oil products.
The exhibition, which is been organised by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, is also providing opportunity for local and foreign businesses to explore and access commercially viable markets in the South-East.
The theme of the 28th edition of the fair, which will end on April 10, is ”Promoting Nigeria’s Industrial Sector and SMEs for Inclusive and Robust Economy”.(NAN)