Some stakeholders in in Apapa Port, Lagos, have said that the re-introduction of freight service by the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) would enhance business transaction in the maritime sector.
The operators expressed optimism that the inauguration of the container traffic train service from Lagos to Kaduna and Kano would transform and boost the nation's economic activities.
The NRC inaugurated the Lagos-Kaduna-Kano container traffic, four new locomotives and two telescopic cranes on Friday.
Some stakeholders in in Apapa Port, Lagos, have said that the re-introduction of freight service by the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) would enhance business transaction in the maritime sector.
The operators expressed optimism that the inauguration of the container traffic train service from Lagos to Kaduna and Kano would transform and boost the nation's economic activities.
The NRC inaugurated the Lagos-Kaduna-Kano container traffic, four new locomotives and two telescopic cranes on Friday.
One of them, chairman, Inland Container Nigeria Limited, Mr Tope Borishade, said that the benefits of the freight trains service were very enormous.
“Customers do not have to come to Lagos to clear their containers or goods.
“They use the computer system to clear them and the train will deliver it. It is safer to transport goods by train, “ Borishade said.
He said that the rail transport system would save a lot of customers the problem of travelling to Lagos to transact and clear their goods.
Borishade said that the re-introduction of the service would assist to de-congest the ports and make business more competitive.
Also the Chief Operating Officer APM Terminal; Mr Lawrence Smith, said that the operation of the new locomotives would benefit customers in Nigeria and Central Africa.
Smith said that the operation would increase internally-generated revenues for the government, adding that more people would be ready to do business with ease.
He said that terminal operators would work with relevant port security agents to curb any challenge that could arise in the operation.
Also, General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Capt Iheanacho Ebubeogu, said many business people would benefit from the operation because trains had the monopoly of carrying more goods at a time.
He said that the train service would be sustained since it delivered goods on time and would not delay to avoid incurring liability.
The two cranes and four locomotives cost NRC N2 and N1 billion respectively.
The freight service was revived after 17 years of inaction.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar who was represented by said the chairman, Nigerian Railway Corporation Board, Alhaji Kawu Abubakar Baraje had said that, "with the movement of goods by rail, vehicular hazards are significantly reduced as many vehicles will be taken off the roads without necessarily affecting the revenue earnings of the road transporters."
He also assured that "In no distant time, the Federal Government will procure 30 tank wagons to strengthen the 20 light oil pressurized tank wagons earlier delivered to the corporation; and two sets of Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs), each with 68-seater modern coaches. The DMUs will be deployed to passenger-services in the cities where congestion remains a major challenge."
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