The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the seamless movement of goods across the country through improved rail infrastructure.
Speaking during an inspection tour of properties managed by the Railway Property Management Company Limited (RPMCL) in Kaduna on Thursday, NRC Managing Director Kayode Opeifa emphasised that the corporation’s efforts align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at boosting economic activities.
“Nigeria Railway Corporation, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, is determined to achieve 100 per cent smooth cargo transportation on both narrow and standard gauge rail lines,” Opeifa stated.
He revealed that wagon assembly was ongoing at Kajola, Oyo State, to address supply challenges, while the government was also tackling issues related to rolling stock.
“Our goal is to ensure the movement of goods from Lagos to the Kaduna Dry Port by early in the second quarter,” he added.
Opeifa also reaffirmed the NRC’s commitment to facilitating cargo transportation from Niger, Mokwa, Jebba, and other inland dry ports, ensuring businesses in Kaduna and Kano benefit from improved export logistics.
During a visit to the Kaduna Inland Dry Port, he commended its management for maintaining efficient operations, stressing that collaborations with state governments and private entities would optimise railway services.
“These partnerships will help protect railway tracks from vandalism, reduce the cost of goods, improve living standards, curb inflation, and enhance trade efficiency,” he noted.
Omotayo Dada, Managing Director of Inland Containers Nigeria Limited (ICNL), operators of the Kaduna Inland Dry Port, expressed confidence in the NRC’s plans.
“The dry port remains active, and with these discussions, I anticipate productivity will increase by about 70 per cent before the year ends,” Dada said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Opeifa inspected several sites, including the Kaduna Inland Dry Port, Kakuri, newly built market stores at Kaduna Junction Station, Abkpakwa, and Rigasa Train Stations.
Credit: NAN (Text Excluding Headline)
