By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and APM Terminals (APMT) have begun cargo movement on the Standard Gauge from Lagos to Moniya, Ibadan freight yard, to boost import and export .
The Managing Director, NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, said this at the flag-off ceremony on Monday in Lagos that the cargo traffic was scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Opeifa added that each train trip would carry 35 wagons of 35 by 40ft or 35 wagons of 70 by 20ft containers or a mixture of both sizes.
He noted that available record showed that NRC moved 362,327 tonnage of containers (import and export) in and out of APMT both on the standard and narrow gauges in 2024.
“NRC and APMT have 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 APMT to Moniya freight yard in Ibadan commenced in 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 advanced stage of completion in APMT which will bring the total lines within APMT standard gauge corridor to three,” he said.
Opeifa said this would facilitate import and export of commodities with adequate convenience and hitch-free vehicle movement.
Also speaking, Mrs Caroline Aubert-Adewuyi, Chief Commercial Officer, APMT, said the rail service would reduce operational costs associated with high logistics by road.
Aubert-Adewuyi said the reliability and efficiency of its integrated cargo delivery system would ensure seamless movement.
“This initiative symbolise the collective efforts of all stakeholders who worked diligently to provide Nigerian shippers with viable alternatives to road transportation for cargo evacuation from the Apapa port.
“Apapa’s enduring strength lies in its multi-modal transportation capabilities, seamlessly integrating barge, road, and rail systems.
“This robust infrastructure enables efficient cargo handling and evacuation from the port.
“The results from our 2024 fiscal year reflect this efficiency, with our export volumes growing 43 per cent over the last two years, when this accelerated process began at the end of 2022,” she said.
She described the ongoing collaboration with the NRC as a testament to APTM commitment to not only revive the rail service from Apapa to Ibadan and beyond but to ensure long-term sustainability.
Also, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr Akutah Ukeyima, described the event as special.
“Recall that sometimes last year, the Nigerian Shippers Council and the NRC signed a Memorandum of Understanding to look into the possibility of the rail transport to support trade.
“We understand that the rail transport happens to be the best form of transport, cheapest and safest for shippers to move goods across the country,” he said
Ukeyima appreciated President Bola Tinubu for the initiative aimed at supporting all agencies of government to work together seamlessly with the private sector to develop critical infrastructure in the country.
This, he said, would promote trade activities in the country.
