By Euclid Myke
As part of efforts to ensure easier delivery of goods around the country, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in collaboration with APM Terminals, Apapa has reopened the Lagos-Ibadan cargo train with 35 containers departing the Lagos Port container terminal for Moniya in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Freight services from APMT to Moniya in Ibadan had commenced in September 2023, with the likes of Bueno Logistics and Transco Africa Logistics blazing the trail among customers using the single transitional line but was closed down after a period.
At the re-launch of the Lagos-Ibadan cargo train services running on the standard gauge yesterday, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa said that haulage services will take place 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 welcome you to the flag-off of 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.
“Two additional lines are at an advanced stage of completion in APMT which will bring the total lines within the APMT standard gauge corridor to three lines.
“While this milestone event marks the commencement of container traffic expansion on the standard gauge rail Line from APMT Terminal to Moniya Ibadan Freight yard, this will facilitate the import and export of commodities with adequate convenience and hitch-free vehicle movement” Odeifa said.
He added that “the container traffic is scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 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. The record made available to us 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.
“The Federal Government under the leadership of Mr President is fully committed to the revitalisation and modernisation project of the Nigerian Railway Corporation for an efficient rail system.
“As part of the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr President, this is one of the surest ways to address the cost of goods, the standard of living and multi-dimensional poverty.”
Also in his remarks, The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Pius Ukeyima Akutah explained that the resumption of rail haulage will lead to the decongestion of the port terminals.
“You will recall that this time last year, the NSC and the NRC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to look into the possibility of developing a rail transport system to support trade.
“We at the NSC understand that rail transport happens to be the cheapest and safest when it comes to trade.
“I must commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing necessary support towards the development of infrastructure that supports trade facilitation,” Akutah said.
The terminal’s Chief Commercial Officer, Caroline Aubert-Adewuyi in her remarks further highlighted the improvements made to the service since its initial introduction in September 2023.
