UGANDA, Namanve | Real Muloodi News | The Lexus Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Namanve Industrial Park, which sits on 11 acres, is Uganda’s biggest ICD. The industrial park will help solve heavy trailer congestion and road destruction in Nakawa.
The Lexus ICD further legitimises the establishment of the Uganda Revenue Authority office in the park. The privately owned facility caters for URA and Uganda National Bureau of Standards Industrialists (UNBS), which makes the clearance of goods faster and efficient.
According to Stella Agwate, the URA manager at the facility, having a physical presence of URA offices on the premises, confirms its status as ICD.
What is an ICD?
Unlike maritime ports, inland Container Depots (ICD), also known as “Dry Ports”, are container storage facilities located away from major ports. The purpose of ICD is for shipping companies to store and move containers before and after transporting them to the seaport.
ICDs, other than being a storage facility, also provide export and import custom clearance services. The idea is to have all the services provided at an actual port also offered at an ICD.
Lexus ICD, Namanve Industrial Park
The Lexus ICD operates under its mother company, SABA-GIFCO, that works in the Middle East and East Africa. The company’s expertise is in packaging, pickup and delivery services.
Ali Makki, Director of Lexus Developments Limited, explained that after the expansion consideration in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan area, his company chose the current location for the ICD.
Ali claimed the Namanve facility has quality controls for health, safety, security, and environment.
“With modern equipment such as terex reach stackers, forklifts, refrigerated trailers, weighing scales, stackable galvanised shelves, the ICD ensures they can handle any cargo in a safe and secure manner,” Makki said.
Furthermore, Makki explained: “We have well-trained staff, ample and secure parking space, raking storage space, and automated software systems.” Armed guards with CCTV cameras and motion sensors protect clients’ cargo seven days a week. The ICD handles containerised, bulk, groupage/consolidate cargo, temperature-controlled, over-dimension and hazardous cargo.”
Other local business people have expressed that the facility has saved them time and resources, especially with the presence of URA within the premises.
Impact of ICD
The ownership and operation of an ICD is a clear indicator of market opportunities and investments in the area. Since the Lexus ICD is privately owned, it can be perceived as a risk mitigation strategy and expertise in developing facilities and related activities. Part of the premises can be used by renting out space and equipment.
According to Hamza Galiwango, Director of Land Investments of Uganda Investment Authority, the Lexus ICD will be a “critical service in boosting business in the industrial park through providing faster cargo services.”
Further, he said, “The ICD will boost employment creation, as well as increasing revenue generation for the country through payment of tax revenue.”
In addition, the Lexus ICD has reduced congestion in the area and will save the road from deconstruction, which will allow real estate initiatives in the area.
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