The Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have joined forces to tackle the logistics challenges plaguing the nation’s seaports.
This was sequel to the visit of NPCC members led by its Chairman, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola to the corporate headquarters of NRC in Lagos recently.
Sunmola who spoke on behalf of NPCC members told the Managing Director of NRC, Mr. Freeborn Okhiria that the visit was an opportunity to introduce and resuscitate the relationship between the NRC and the council.
The NPCC Chairman stated that the visit would pave ways for functional transportation in Nigeria just as he noted that partnership between NPCC and the NRC could lead to synergies that benefit both the rail and maritime sectors.
His words: “By working together, we can address logistical challenges, improve intermodal connectivity, and ultimately enhance the overall efficiency of Nigeria’s transport infrastructure. We will be delighted to explore these collaborative opportunities further and explore how our council can support the NRC in achieving set objectives”.
According to him, the core responsibilities of NPCC include advisory role, advocacy, consulting services and arbitration.
Also speaking, a member of the council, Captain Emmanuel Ebubeogu, commended the management of NRC on rail line transformation just as he enjoined the council to look into the level crossing that lacks a keeper and barrier along the dockyard road inward Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Continuing, Ebubeogu who was hitherto a staff of NPA said: “I develop `goose pimple’ anytime I pass there because the house has been broken down as a result of modernisation but this should be addressed immediately. In transport, the first policy is safety, a competent transport and port system should ensure safety at all times.”
Okhiria in his response said: “One of the areas we need support from the NPCC is in the expansion of the rail to move the NRC into modern time in the rail system. The NRC has a track access system which Lagos State Government has keyed into; they have been cohabiting with the corporation to push transportation in the state. Our infrastructure is not being used to its full capacity, we are working out structure for its commercial use and as a neutral body, we need your support on this”.
The NRC helmsman who was represented at the occasion by NRC Director of Operations, Mr. Akin Osinowo noted that the support from NPCC would drive the desired change in the nation’s seaports.
