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By Fidelis Ugbomeh
As part of efforts to revive cargo movement by rail and reduce pressure on Apapa port access roads, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has in partnership with Nigerian Railway Corporation, (NRC) commenced discussions on how to encourage movement of imports and exports in and out of Apapa port through rail mode of transport
This comes on the heel of recent visit of Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi to Moniya freight station at Obafemi Awolowo railway terminal, Ibadan to assess the viability of moving goods through the standard and narrow gauge railway lines from Lagos to Ibadan and other states respectively from where it would be evacuated by road to other parts of the country.
To achieve this aim, the two agencies have opened discussions with other stakeholders including freight forwarders on developing Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
Buttressing this fact, Area Controller, Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Babatunde Olomu said the proposed SOP would provide a viable and cost-effective option for cargo movement to our importers, exporters, Freight forwarding practitioners, haulage operators and licensed customs agents.
He said further that under guidance of comptroller general of customs, the command opened talks with officials of Nigerian Railway Corporation and other stakeholders from various associations on developing a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the movement of goods by rail from Apapa Port to other states.
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The area controller, disclosed this recently while presenting 2025 revenue half year report of the command to the media saying,”| am pleased to express that the talks have shown prospects for success with pledges of support and anticipation for robust participation by all concerned.
He also said that effort to revive cargo movement by rail aims to decongest the port, reduce pressure on the Apapa roads, and provide a viable and cost-effective option for cargo movement to our importers, exporters, Freight forwarding practitioners, haulage operators and licensed customs agents.
In the area of revenue collection, Olomu disclosed that the command collected N1,378,059,01trn representing 35% increase above, N1,023,663,842,255.63 collected in the same period in 2024, marking N354 billion increase in collection within the period under review.
He that In addition to issuance of Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) being issued using homegrown technology, the command has achieved issuance of the first Single Goods Declaration on May 2025 using the B’Odogwu platform.
“We have created a robust platform that facilitates trade and ensures the swift clearance of cargo and we are addressing challenges such as poor network connectivity, delays, and congestion associated with the former system”, the Area Controller declared.
He affirmed the commitment of his Command to sanitize the port environment and maintain strict adherence to customs regulations by all stakeholders.
“As a result of our robust anti-smuggling efforts, three bonded terminals have been sealed.One is already undergoing prosecution in court, and we are currently investigating the others,” Olomu declared.
