Stories by Fidelis Ugbomeh
Some stakeholders in transport logistics business have enjoined the present administration to continue with the railway modernization project by extending the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway line to other parts of the country, especially Kano and Port-Harcourt/Maiduguri so as to add more value to economic development of this country.
This is as Bueno Logistics Limited, the company handling logistics on behalf of interested importers/exportees and Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has so far evacuated more than four tranches of 40 footer containers from A.P. Moller terminal at Apapa Port by rail to Moniya, Ibadan, Oyo State, while export goods and empty containers were returned from Moniya to A.P. Moller terminal by rail.
Speaking in a telephone chat with Daily Sun, Mazi Jetson Nwankwo, executive director, Bueno Logistics Limited, the company handling logistics on the standard gauge railway line from Lagos to Ibadan, said that following the inaugural flag-off of container traffic on the standard gauge railway line by the minister of transportation Sen. Sa’id Alkali, more than four tranches of loaded container wagons have been evacuated from Lagos to Moniya.
He stated further that, apart from evacuating containers from Apapa to Ibadan, empty containers were also returned to the A.P. Miller terminal during return trips from Ibadan, while export goods were also evacuated from Moniya to A.P. Moller terminal.
The executive directoe posited that the future plan is to move three freight trains of 30 containers per train daily from Apapa to Moniya.
Nwankwo who was the former managing director of NRC, said the evacuation of containers by rail will to a large extent reduce congestion associated with the port access roads, especially at Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports.
Director of operations of Bueno Logistic Limited, Mr. Paul Ndibe, noted that on September 17, 2023, the Minister of Transportation Sen. Sa’id Alkali inaugurated the first goods train on standard gauge rail line from Lagos to Ibadan for onward transit by road to distributors and end users.
He posited that the evacuation of 40-foot containers by rail on behalf of British American Tobacco Company would surely add value but that it would add more to the value chain, if the standard gauge railway line is extended to Kano and other parts of the country.
He noted that development of rail and water infrastructure would aid movement of imports/exports as well as raw materials to manufacturers and distributors in bulk at a cheaper and faster rate, thereby forcing down the current sporadic inflation that has affected pricing.of commodities.
Ndibe stated further that, since the inauguration of the commencement of freight service from Lagos to Ibadan by minister of transportation and completion of customs procedures/documentation by the importers, Bueno Logistics, in partnership with Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), has facilitated evacuation of 40-foot containers from A.P.M. terminal to Moniya.
According to him, “Currently, we are discussing with some importers and shippers with a view to identifying their specific needs in terms of logistics by rail from Lagos to Ibadan as well as movement of such consignments by road to distributors and other end users”.
Corroborating, Lagos district manager, NRC, Engr. Augustine Arase, said that container traffic from Apapa to Moniya and back will soon be increased.
According to him, presently, after offloading imported goods at Obafemi Awolowo railway station, Moniya, export goods are also evacuated from Obafemi Awolowo railway station to Apapa port for exportation to other countries.
Mr. Eric Umezurike, managing director First Fit Nigeria Limited, in his comment, said the ncredible accomplishment marks a significant milestone for the Nigerian railway industry and is a testament to the unwavering commitment and relentless efforts of everyone involved.
He also called for the extension of the standard gauge railway line to other terminals like ENL, Ports and Cargo, Greenview, Five Star Logistics and Ports Terminal Multipurpose Limited.
Umezurike, a freight forwarder, also advised other state governments to emulate Lagos State through partnership with the corporation so as to fulfill the plan to connect all state capitals by rail, especially now that railway has been removed from the exclusive to concurrent list by the National Assembly.
The station manager, Professor Wole Soyinka Railway Station, Akilo Akeem, noted that the successful movement of containers not only showcased the potential of the rail transport system in Nigeria but also highlighted the possibilities for enhanced efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability in the transportation of goods across the country.
He pointed out that it also signifies the beginning of a new era for the Nigerian railway industry, strengthening its position as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and improved connectivity. This milestone paves the way for enhanced trade opportunities, reduced congestion on roads and a more sustainable mode of transportation.
Monitzation policy: Rail workers, management resolve to settle out of court
Ten years after legal battle between management of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and Nigerian Union of Railway Workers (NUR) at the National Industrial Court over non implementatio of monitization of railway quarters the duo have decided to settle out of court.
President general of the union, Comrade Jonathan Ajiji dropped this hint in Lagos recently when minister of transportation, Sen. Sa’id Alkali paid his maiden familiarization visit to headquarters of the corporation in Lagos.
Hitherto, the court ruled in favour of the union but management of the corporation filed an appeal which was still pending in vourt before the decision to settle out of court.
As the case continued to linger over the years most retired railway staff refused to vacate their quarters hence denying staff that were either transferred to their districts or promoted to fill the gap opportunity to occupy such quarters.
Although he did not give details of the terms of settlement, the monetization policy which was introduced during former president Obasanjo’s regime stipulates that government cannot continue to sustain maintenance of houses for its workers. and that such houses should be monitized.
It is noteworthy that most government parastatals with exception of the army police, navy, airforce and other paramilitary agencies, sold their quarters to occupants but the NRC management reneged on the premises that railway is an essential service and the workers shonuld live within the railway compound for quick call up during emergencies.
Apapa express: Passengers demand increase in number of stopover train stations
In line with the demand of passengers, management of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is considering option of increasing stopover train stations along the newly introduced express train service from Kajola to Apapa and back.
On October 9, 2023, the corporation commenced a daily inter-state passenger train service on standard gauge railway corridor from Kajola in Ogun State to Apapa in Lagos State with designated stop over stations namely, Agbado, Agege and Mobolaji Johnson.
The Lagos district manager of the corporation Engr. Augustine Arase in an exclusive interview with DAILY SUN said since the commencement of the Apapa to Kajola Express train service the public notice box has been filled with requests that the stopover stations should be increased.
He disclosed further that so far the response of passengers since the introduction of the Kajola-Apapa express train shuttle has encouraging adding that recommendation for increase in the stopover railway stations as demanded by passengers has been forwarded to management of the corporation for consideration.
He advised passengers to ensure that they purchase tickets at designated train stations before boarding the train at the rate of N1,500 per passenger, instead of patronizing touts.
Arase stated that the passenger coaches are comfortable with air-condition and toilets.