. Signs MOU with NRC on efficiency of Rail Transport, Cost of Transportation
By Shola Fadeyi & Emmanuel Ajiboye
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NRC), Barrister Pius Ukeyima Akutah , has said that the Shippers Council’s collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) will ensure the efficient carriage of goods from the seaports to the hinterlands ,through the Inland Dry Ports(IDPs).
He stated this, in a Keynote Address he delivered at a Stakeholders Sensitization Summit on ‘Limitations of Rail Transportation of Cargoes In Nigeria’ , which the NSC organized at Rockview Hotel , in Apapa, Lagos, Thursday, August 8, 2024
According to him, the Council’s, initiative through closed Inter-Agency collaboration, particularly with the NRC is to enhance intermodal connections and connectivity; fast-track delivery of cargoes to and from Inland Dry Ports (IDPs), located in the hinterlands in a cheaper and cost-effective way through rail which is the cheapest means of transporting goods..
The Executive Secretary said that the collaboration of both NSC and the NRC, which are in line with their mandates ,will solve the major challenge the Nigeria Shippers face today, on the issue of cost of transportation of goods from the hinterland to the seaports.
Akutah regretted that the lack of functional rail system , for evacuation of cargoes from the various distribution centers to the hinterlands has become a problem to the shipping industry and to the issue of ease of doing business ,resulting in delay in off loading and the turn around time of vessels, payment of demurrage,congestion at the ports, traffic gridlock and the high cost of doing business.
He said this is why the Shippers’ Council and the Railways have signed an MOU meant to ensure the return of rail transportation in its effectiveness ,as well as tackle the challenges of cost of transportation in doing business for Nigerian Shippers.
The NSC CEO stated that the target is for goods coming into the country to be freely transported to the hinterland by using the Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) as developed by the Council.
Akutah also revealed that the Federal Government is currently focusing on promoting export activities, adding that this is because the nation has been importing goods and services from all over the world, without growing its own export industry at the same pace.
The Shippers’ Council boss explained that by focusing on exports, government will be able to take advantage of the opportunities inherent to shippers through the African free Continental Trade Agreement (AfCTA).
The Director Inland Transportation Department, NSC , Ify Ofolue said in her speech that the Shippers Council and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy will continue to create an enabling environment for the actualization of optimal and seamless movement of cargoes by rail from the seaports to the Inland Dry Ports and the hinterlands in general .
The NRC MD, Fidet Okhiria , in his speech said that the MOU signed with the Shippers Council will go a long way to enhance the carriage of goods from the seaports to the hinterlands , while it would have a positive impact on the economy.
