By Fidelis Ugbomeh
Stakeholders in transportation sector have called on Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to gear up in order to meet urgent need for interimodal transit of freight from one part of the country to another.
They decried the current trend whereby 70% of freight from the nation’s seaports are evacuated by road and the remaining 30% shared amongst the other modes despite the fact that the roads are insufficient.
Speaking at a recent summit packaged by Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) a director of Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. James said that the over dependence on road mode for evacuation of containerised/dry cargoes from our ports has to a large extent reduced lifespan of our roads.
He stated further that in line with the vision to reduce over dependence on roads and traffic gridlock associated with Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports, the Federal government through the council approved establishment of six inland dry ports in six geo-political areas of the country linked by rail.
According to him, the dry ports designated are located at Ibadan, (Erunmu) Kaduna, Kano, (Dana) Jos, Abia (Isiala-Ngwa), and Maiduguri adding that the approval of these locations was largely due to access to railways.
James however lamented that the operation of railway in the location of some completed inland container depot built by the private sector has either been suspended due to insecurity/vandalisation or shortfall in number of Locomotive engines in the corporation’s fleet.
Describing the adoption of interimodalism through railways, barges, roads and piplines as connerstone to reforms in the sector, he said railway/barges can be used to convey bulky goods while trucks can be used to move such goods from the railway stations and inland dry ports by trucks to warehouses/companies of their owners.
He noted that the cargo traffic demand at our seaports cannot be met by the insufficient road mode hence the need for railways/barge operators to brace-up and bridge the dominance of road in the evacuation of goods from seaports.
But the helmsman of NRC Dr. Kayode Opeifa in a swift reaction said that but for the recent washout at Ifo, the corporation still evacuates Cement from Paplanto to Ilorin, Kwara state and Dagbolu in Oyo state through the narrow gauge railway line.
He also promised that the damaged/vandalised sections of the tracks along Lagos-Kano narrow gauge railway corridor will be repaired within the next six months even as Niger and Kaduna state governments have guaranteed provision of adequate security within their jurisdictions before and when long distance services resume.
Programme Director Mr Michael Oluwagbemi of Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG) said that to unlock economic growth, Nigeria must ensure its transport systems are not only effective but also sustainable, affordable, and future-ready.
Represented by Mrs Ugonna Onyemelukwe, he added that through efficient transport and logistics industries would thrive, agricultural produce reache markets, and people stay connected.
r Nigeria’s logistics value chain, this presents a historic opportunity. Imagine fleets of cargo trucks moving goods from our ports to inland cities on CNG, cutting costs, reducing emissions, and improving competitiveness
“Imagine intermodal hubs where rail, road, and waterways converge, powered by clean energy solutions. This is not a distant dream; it is a future we are building together,’’ Oluwagbemi said.
He called for collaboration among
stakeholders, adding that together, Nigeria’s transport sector would be reshaped into a model of efficiency, resilience, and sustainability.
Managing Director of Truck Transit Park Limited (TTP) Jamal Onwubuariri said that the infrastructure and technology deployment at Nigerian ports and border posts are still not sufficient for the volume of cargoes that comes into the country.
He noted that “our ports in terms of their infrastructure and technology deployment is not sufficient for the Volume of cargoes that comes into this region
“In terms of opportunities, technology companies like us can assist the government at borders posts and at ports, in order to put in place technological solutions that would enhance movement of goods and people.
“We need to invest more in infrastructure and our government alone cannot take it, there are lots of money floating around, both informally and formally ,that private companies can invest in infrastructures, rest stops and even technology in order to drive trade and drive investments” he stated.
Also, Mr Segun Obayendo, Managing Director, Lagos Computerised Vehicle Inspection Service (LACVIS), said the summit theme underscored the need for efficiency, innovation, and sustainable practices that could transform the transport and logistics value chain into a true driver of national economic prosperity.
Represented by Mrs Abike Awojobi, Executive Director, Transport Agenda, Magazine, LACVIS the mandate of the service is to ensure safer roads through reliable and technology-driven vehicle inspections aligns with the summit’s objectives of strengthening the transport ecosystem.
“We remain committed to working with industry players, regulators, and policymakers to enhance safety standards, promote professionalism, and foster growth in Nigeria’s transport and logistics sector,’’ he said.
Brand Manager, Dangote Group, Mr. Francis Awowole expressed optimism about creating a logistics chain whereby rail, road,and water modes can connect to distribute goods and energy at a cheaper cost.
He noted that the recent importation of CNG vehicles by Dangote group for free distribution fuel/diesel will reduce emissions as well cost pump price of fuel.
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