Three weeks after Senator Ahmed Alkali assumed office as Minister of Transportation, the Federal Government through the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), has inaugurated the freight train service for the movement of containers from the Apapa Port, Lagos, to the container deport in Ibadan, Oyo State. The inauguration was done today, September 12, 2023.
The move is expected to decongest the Apapa Port as well as free some Lagos major roads and bridges currently occupied with container trucks and causing traffic snarl.
The freight train movement is being undertaken by Buen Logistics Limited starting with three trains per day.
Declaring the movement open at the APM terminal, Apapa, the minister expressed delight at the project.
He also spoke on the Nigeria Customs Service scanner house blocking the rail track at the Apapa Port.
He stated that “We are using one line now but we have two others that stop before the Customs (scanner) building.
“The ministry is going to liaise with the Customs to remove their building and free the remaining two lines up to the end of the seaport and even enable the train to turn.”
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the NRC, Engr. Fidet Okhiria said the Corporation has been working assiduously to ensure the aside the movement of passengers on the Lagos-Ibadan rail corridor, cargo is also moved seamlessly in order to value more value to the economy.
The Minister also toured and inspected some other facilities and terminals of the NRC.
