Yomi Durojaye
The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) in collaboration with APMT today in Apapa Lagos, flagged off the commencement of the expansion of container traffic on standard gauge from Apapa port Lagos to Moniya freight yard in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The ceremony was held amidst fanfare and had in attendance, the management team of NRC led by Dr Kayode Opeifa, the management team of APMT led by the MD Mr Fredrik Klinke, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council Barr. Akutah Pius, the Lagos Port manager Mr. A. I. Lawal, comptroller Ehomobor representing the CG of the Nigeria customs service, the representative of the commissioner of police Apapa Port, customers, members of the business community, unions and labour associations in the maritime industry, security agencies, and members of the press.
The MD of APMT welcomed the invited guests to the historic occasion which signalled a step forward in the transportation system in Nigeria by the partnership between NRC and APMT and which is expected to go a long way in saving time and eliminating stress by the movement of containers by rail from Apapa port Lagos to Moniya in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In his remarks at the event, the executive secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council Barr Akutah Pius, commended the Nigerian railway corporation and APMT for the bold initiative meant to complement government efforts on the ease of doing business in the country.
The representative of the Nigerian customs service commended the NRC and APMT for the wonderful collaboration and pledged the support of the Comptroller General and the entire Nigerian customs service to the project.
The MD/CEO of Nigerian Railway Corporation NRC Dr Opeifa on his part commended APMT for the giant stride in business expansion and for the confidence reposed in NRC because APMT is one of the biggest customers of NRC with a long history of container business relationship which dates back to decades on the Narrow gauge lines to cities like Kano and Kaduna to mention but a few. He also lauded the support of the Nigerian customs service and Nigerian shippers council in the collaboration which has endured for years.
Dr Opeifa informed the stakeholders present at today's flagoff ceremony that the container traffic is scheduled for Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's with each train carrying 35 wagons by 40ft. or 35 wagons by 20ft. containers or a mixture of both sizes.
He once again emphasized the Federal government avowed commitment to revitalizing and modernizing the Nigerian Railway Corporation for efficient and effective transportation system. Dr Opeifa made it known that the project is a milestone in the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration, as one of the surest ways to bring down the cost of goods, improve standard of living, contribute to ease of doing business and impact on multidimensional poverty in a positive way.
The highlight of the event was the ceremonial raise of the yellow and black flag of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) which means movement by Dr Opeifa assisted by the executive secretary of the Nigerian shippers council Barr Akutah at the APM Terminal in Apapa Port Lagos, after which the two locomotives with CBX loaded containers began it's journey to Moniya Ibadan freight yard, Oyo State.
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