As part of measures to ensure that pressures are eased off Nigerian highways and to further extend their durability, the Federal Government has officially commissioned 20, compressed, light oil tank wagons which will be used for the rail transportation of petroleum products across states in the country, even as it has invited the private sector to partner with the government to further increase the fleet.
As part of measures to ensure that pressures are eased off Nigerian highways and to further extend their durability, the Federal Government has officially commissioned 20, compressed, light oil tank wagons which will be used for the rail transportation of petroleum products across states in the country, even as it has invited the private sector to partner with the government to further increase the fleet.
The pressurized tank wagons were imported by the Nigerian Railway Corporation and the official commissioning of the tanks was initially scheduled to hold three weeks ago, but it could not. It was abruptly postponed following rumours of the possibility of container loads of explosives on board the ship 'MV Feng Hang Shan' which brought the tanks.
But while commissioning the tanks at the Terminal 'E' managed by Greenview Development Nigeria Limited in Lagos on Teusday, the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar said that the 20 wagons have the capacity of lifting 900 thousand liters of petroleum product which is the equivalent of about 27 tankers by road, "imagine this heavy duty off our already stretched roads" he said.
According to Senator Umar, the Federal government is also making efforts to ensure the importation of 50 more tank wagons before the end of the year, even as he explained that stakeholders who wish to partner with the government by acquiring more tanks can do so, and can equally have their company names displayed on any of the tanks in form of public private partnership.
Pointing out the benefits of the new intermodal transportation of petroleum across the country, Senator Umar said that the environmental and economic pollution and social hazards as well as the delay occasioned in petroleum haulage by road will now be substantially reduced.
"In addition, these tank wagons are made with fire resistance materials, thus saving the nation from inherent fire disasters"
"You are today invited to utilise this safer and cheaper means of transportation, the acquisition of the tank wagons is aimed at complementing the present predominant long distance haulage of petroleum product by tankers in a systematic manner so as to relieve the pressure on the road network thereby extending their durability, saving lifes and reducing freighting cost" he said.
Explaining the rationale behind the recent postponement of the earlier scheduled commissioning ceremony, the minister said that "Every parastatal is carrying out their functions and I think what NIMASA did what is absolutely right, in doing anything you have to be very cautious"
While speaking earlier, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Eng. Adeseyi Sijuwade said that the 20 oil tank wagons where manufactured for the Nigerian Railway Corporation a company; Thorn Engineering and CRSBG in China.
He also said that the tanks where procured for a whooping N600Million inclusive of manufacturing, shipping, transit insurance, clearing and training of NRC operators.
"Finally, I will to implore oil marketers and distributors to take advantage of the operational and economic benefit of the wagons in moving their petroleum products by rail, with these wagons you can be sure of safe and prompt delivery of your product by Nigerian Railway Corporation" he assured.
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