Nigerian Shippers’ Council Partners with NRC to Enhance Cargo Evacuation and Reduce Costs.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has formalized a strategic partnership with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving cargo evacuation from seaports to the hinterland, thereby reducing the cost of doing business in Nigeria.
During the joint sensitization and MoU signing event held in Lagos, NSC Executive Secretary Pius Akutah highlighted the critical need for this collaboration, noting that the absence of a functional rail system has led to severe inefficiencies in cargo evacuation. These inefficiencies have resulted in port congestion, delayed vessel off-loading, and increased demurrage costs, all of which contribute to higher overall business expenses.
Akutah emphasized the NSC’s commitment to working closely with government agencies to resolve inland transportation challenges and improve intermodal coordination, which is vital for boosting the efficiency of the cargo evacuation process.
NRC Managing Director Fidet Okhiria acknowledged the significance of the partnership, stating that the MoU would bolster the corporation’s efforts to ease cargo movement through enhanced rail linkages. He also pointed out the current challenge of insufficient cargo availability for rail freight, urging terminal operators to address this issue to fully leverage the rail system’s potential.
Related Posts
In her remarks, Apapa Local Government Chairman Adejumoke Idowu stressed the importance of functional freight and passenger rail services, while Chinyere Uromta, Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), called for increased collaboration among stakeholders. Both officials underscored the need for continuous support for government agencies to facilitate the ease of doing business in Nigerian ports.
The partnership between the NSC and NRC is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of cargo evacuation, reduce congestion at the ports, and ultimately lower the cost of logistics and transportation for businesses across the country.
