NRC to Increase frequency of freight trains from Lagos-Ibadan

By Fidelis Ugbomeh

In line with efforts to restrict influx of trucks and trailers into Lagos port, importers and exporters of finished goods and agricultural products have been advised to take advantage of re-launched freight train service from Lagos to Ibadan to process carriage of their consignments through the rail mode.

The flagoff ceremony of the freight train took place at A.P.Moller terminal on line the only standard gauge track presently linking the terminal even as plans have reached advanced stage for two additional standard gauge rail tracks to link the terminal and by extension enhance freight traffic in and out of the port.

Recall that a building housing scanners used for examination of goods by officials of Nigerian Customs Service blocked site designed for laying the two additional tracks into A.P.Moller Terminal which led to suspension of work on the two lines pending when the building was pulled down.

Speaking at the re-launching ceremony of Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge freight train service, the newly appointed Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa said that the use of the rail mode will facilitate movement of import and export of commodities with adequate convenience as well as enhance hitch-free vehicle movement in line with vision and renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He restated that the Federal government is fully committed to revitalisation and modernisation project of the Nigerian Railway Corporation for efficient Rail System adding that this is one of the surest ways to address the increasing cost of goods, standard of living and multi-dimentional poverty.

The MD expressed optimism that all stakeholders involved in the partnership including: Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Ports Authority, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Nigerian Shippers Council, importers/importers amongst others will join hands to ensure success of the freight train service from Lagos to Ibadan.

He promised that the frequency of cargo movement in and out of Apapa port through the standard gauge railway line linking A. P. Moller Terminal to the Lagos-Ibadan mainline will soon be increased with the completion of work on two additional tracks.

Opeifa explained further that “Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in collaboration with APMT, Apapa have therefore resumed the Lagos-Ibadan cargo train with 35 containers departing Lagos Port container terminal for Moniya in Ibadan, Oyo State”.

According to him, the train haulage will operate every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with each train trip carrying 35 wagons of 35 by 40ft or 35 wagons of 70 by 20ft Containers or a mixture of both sizes.

“I am delighted to officially flag-off container movement from Apapa to Moniya in Ibadan on the standard gauge rail.

“Though, NRC and APM Terminals have a long history of doing business of container traffic to places in the hinterland of Nigeria such as; Kaduna, Kano, but it is mainly on the narrow gauge lines.

“However, container traffic movement by rail on the standard gauge in and out of APM Terminals to Moniya freight yard in Ibadan commenced on September 2023 with the likes of Bueno Logistics and Transco Africa Logistics blazing the trail among other customers using the single “transitional line” in APMT”, the NRC boss said.

He also pointed out that the Lagos-Ibadan freight train service will reduce upsurge in traffic of trailers transiting to Apapa from the Northern and Eastern parts of the country all in a bid to evacuate imports from Lagosbor drop empty containers.

The MD stated that with the re-launching of the freight train service import goods could be taken from Lagos to Ibadan through railway and later transported by road to other parts of the country from freight yard at Obafemi Awolowo Railway Station, Moniya, Ibadan

He lauded management of APMT for this giant stride in business expansion and for having confidence in Nigerian Railway Corporation as a major mover for the success of this project in the ease of doing business and expansion of management of logistics of goods and services for trade facilitation.

Record made available shows that NRC moved 362, 327 tonnage of Containers import and export in and out of APM Terminal both on the Standard and Narrow gauges in the year 2024.

On his part, Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Dr Pius Akutah, said the resumption of rail haulage would lead to the decongestion of the port terminals.

“We at the NSC understand that rail transport happens to be the cheapest and safest when it comes to trade,” he stated.

Representing APM Terminals, the terminal’s Chief Commercial Officer, Caroline Aubert-Adewuyi, highlighted the improvement made to the latest cargo train service.

“The new schedule ensures trains depart three times a week—Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays— providing businesses with greater predictability and efficiency”, she said.