Shippers Council laments absence of functional rail system for cargo evacuation from seaports

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has lamented the absence of functional rail system for evacuation of cargo from the seaports to their various destinations.
The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Barrister Pius Akutah made this known while delivering the welcome address during a one-day stakeholders summit tagged “Limitations to Rail Transportation of Cargo in Nigeria” organised by the Nigerian Shippers Council in collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation held in Lagos on Thursday.
Barr Akutah noted that the the lack of functional rail system for evacuation of cargo from the seaports to various distribution centres to the hinterland has become a problem in the shipping industry and ease of doing business in Nigeria.
He disclosed that Rail Transportation is efficient, economical, and safe, especially for long distances and carriage of large volumes of goods and
> can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption compared with road transportation.
“The lack of functional rail system for evacuation of cargo from the seaports to various distribution centres to the hinterland has become a problem in the shipping industry and ease of doing business in Nigeria.
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This has resulted in congestion at the seaports, delay in off-loading of vessels and turnaround time, payment of demurrage, increase number of trucks and tankers on the road, traffic gridlock and high cost of doing business”.
“It is therefore hoped that at the end of this programme, challenges impinging the transportation of cargoes to the hinterland (IDPs) would be identified and solutions proffered” he said.
The two critical agencies thereafter signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure effective movement of cargoes by rail, from the nation’s Ports to the Inland Dry Ports scattered around the country.
Akutah disclosed that the Council’s initiative through closed Inter Agency collaboration, particularly with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is with a view to ensuring: Enhanced intermodal connections and connectivity, Fast-track delivery of cargoes to and from Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) in Nigeria, Cheaper and cost-effective means of transportation of goods to the hinterland and specifically, the IDPs located at the hinterlands; Facilitation of the development of critical transport infrastructure in the hinterland of Nigeria, etc.
On his part, the Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, Engr Fidet Okhiria described the MoU as significant, even as he warned that seaport terminal operators must provide a conducive environment for Nigerians, importers, and exporters to ensure that goods move cheaply.
In her address, Mrs Ify Okolue, Director (Inland Transport Services Department), NSC expressed optimism that the event will come up with far reaching resolutions that will impact positively on the development and promotion of seamless movement of cargoes from the Seaports to the Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) in Nigeria.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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