Story by Dili Utomi.
The imperative nature of having efficient movement of cargoes along the logistics supply chain and the need to help grow businesses with the ultimate aim of increasing economic activities and revenues prompted two agencies of government to come together to engender the stated ideals.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) working with the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Thursday put together a stakeholders summit with the theme: Limitations To Rail Transportation Of Cargo In Nigeria.
The event had the executive secretary of the NSC, Ukeyima Pius Akutah, the managing director of the NRC, Fidet F. Okhiria, the Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Dera Anselm Nnadi, the acting registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Chinyere Uromta, the representative of the sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Patrick Dabo and many other high profile personalities in attendance.
The opening remarks were made by the director, Inland Transport services of the NSC, Mrs. A.I. Okolue. She noted that “The objective of the summit amongst others is to identify the challenges facing the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) infrastructural development; the role of the Nigerian Customs Service towards enabling seamless movement of cargo/reduction of cost of doing business in the port, proffer practicable solutions to the identified problems and open up discussions on the possibility for Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the provision of rail transport services with a view to promoting multimodal approached to cargo evacuation and distribution to the hinterland”.
Goodwill messages followed with chairman of the Apapa local government area, Mrs. Idowu Adejumoke Senbanjo encouraging participants to “Open up their minds and learn about the opportunities provided through the summit on rail transportation so that the Apapa economic development can fully achieved”.
The representative of the sector Commander of the FRSC, Patrick Dabo hopes that “At the end, the proffered solutions will be implemented for easy delivery of goods and services to the final consumers”.
The Acting Registrar of the CRFFN, Mrs. Chinyere Uromta also encourages participants to “Align their businesses to the recommendations provided at the summit for growth”.
The keynote address as presented by executive secretary of the NSC, Mr. Ukeyima Pius Akutah reads in part “In line with their statutory mandates therefore, the two agencies are desirous of collaborating with the aim of ensuring and facilitating the efficient carriage of cargoes from the Seaports to the Inland Dry Ports (IDPs)”.
His words “The Council’s initiative through closed Inter-Agency collaboration, particularly with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is with a view to ensuring:
Enhanced intermodal connections and connectivity;
Fast-track delivery of cargoes to and from Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) in Nigeria;
Cheaper and cost-effective means of transportation of goods to the hinterland and specifically, the IDPs located at the hinterland;
Facilitation of the development of critical transport infrastructure in the hinterland of Nigeria, etc”.
“We should note that Rail Transportation is efficient, economical, and safe, especially for long distances and carriage of large volumes of goods. It can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption compared with road transportation”.
The Customs Area Controller of the Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Dera Anselm Nnadi in his presented paper on “Evacuation of Cargos from Seaport to Hinterland” looked at the roles of the Nigeria Customs Service vis-a-vis the roles of the various operators within the maritime sector such as the importers/exporters, shipping companies, bonded terminals, freight forwarders and logistics operators and the roles of regulatory agencies.
He also delved into the challenges of Port concession and came to the conclusion that “
Efficient Seaport evacuation involves the coordinated efforts of various parties, including the Nigeria Customs Service, terminal operators, importers, exporters, shipping companies, freight forwarders, logistics providers, and regulatory bodies. Each plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth and secure movement of cargoes from seaports to the hinterland, contributing to the overall efficiency of the logistics sector. By understanding and optimising these roles, Nigeria can enhance its trade efficiency and economic growth”.
At the end, the heads of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr. Ukeyima Pius Akutah and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Fidet Okhiria both signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on “The smooth movement of cargoes from the seaports to other parts of the country”.
They also fielded questions from journalists. Mr. Akutah says that “We believe that the best way for cargo movement from the Ports to the inland areas is through the rail transport and that is why we are working with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to acheive efficient cargo movement “.
Mr. Okhiria of the NRC says that “The MOU took quite a bit of time to acheive, but that the determination of staff members of both establishments saw it through and it is no longer about talk, but something concrete for Nigerians to hold on to. We at the NRC will play our role and they at the NSC will play theirs to acheive the desired results”.
A communique was later released on the summit and every concerned Nigerian and others alike would want to see that the contents of the MOU as well as the recommendations from the summit will be properly implemented to acheive the overall economic objectives.
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