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The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has promised Inland Containers Nigeria Ltd. (ICNL) in Kaduna that there will be smooth transportation of containers via rail from Apapa Port to both Kaduna and Kano.
NRC's managing director, Kayode Opeifa, made this statement on Wednesday in Lagos while hosting the ICNL management team, which was led by managing director Omotayo Dada.
Opeifa expressed the corporation's readiness to collaborate with key players in the large container transport sector across the nation.
He mentioned that the NRC had previously partnered with APMT for the transportation of containers from Apapa to the Inland Dry Port in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“The corporation is committed to developing products that cater to companies interested in utilizing rail for cargo transport. Through this partnership with ICNL, the NRC aims to increase the daily movement of containers from 50 to 100 from Lagos to Kano, passing through Apapa, Ijoko, Ilorin, Minna, and Kaduna.
The director of operations and commercial for the corporation, Akin Osinowo, referred to ICNL as a longstanding customer of the NRC.
He noted that the corporation is actively addressing the various challenges that have caused disruptions in cargo movement, particularly on the narrow gauge lines.
He highlighted issues such as insecurity in the Minna to Kaduna corridor and the damage to several rail track sections, which are being urgently tackled by either the NRC's engineering team or the federal government.
Osinowo also mentioned that the NRC is in discussions with prominent manufacturers like Dangote Group and BUA.
Additionally, the NRC aims to support Lafarge Africa by facilitating the transport of cement from Ewekoro to Osogbo and from Ilorin, thereby enhancing the railway’s freight capacity.
Both NRC management and ICNL have expressed their dedication to maintaining their collaboration and establishing a plan for the swift initiation of container freight services to Kaduna and Kano along the western line.
