Management of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has pledged unwavering commitment to ensuring smooth rail movement of goods across the entire nation. Speaking on Thursday during an extensive inspection tour of properties managed by the Railway Property Management Company Limited (RPMCL) in Kaduna, NRC Managing Director and Board Chairman, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, detailed an ambitious plan that is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Opeifa outlined a multi-pronged strategy aimed at boosting the efficiency of Nigeria’s rail network, a critical component in reducing the cost of goods, enhancing business operations, and ultimately driving economic growth. “Nigeria Railway Corporation under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu is determined to achieve 100 percent smooth movement of goods both along the narrow gauge and the standard gauge,” he declared. “We are already assembling wagons at Kajola in Oyo State so that wagons will no longer be an issue, and the government is equally looking into the issues of rolling stocks as well.”
Highlighting the strategic importance of his plans, Opeifa elaborated, “We are committed to ensuring that the movement of goods from, say, Lagos to Kaduna Dry Port is achieved somewhere at the beginning of the second quarter. We are also determined, just as we promised Niger Foods and the Niger Government, that we will do everything possible to get cargo from Niger—Mokwa, Jebba, and wherever their Inland Dry Port is situated. Also, we are committed to ensuring that people from Kaduna and Kano can move goods, particularly for exports.”
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During the inspection tour in Kaduna, Opeifa visited several key sites, including the Kaduna Inland Dry Port, Kakuri, newly built market stores at Kaduna Junction Station, Abkpakwa, and Rigasa Train Stations. At the Kaduna Inland Dry Port, he commended the management and stressed the importance of collaborative partnerships. “We are determined, committed, and are in partnership with Kaduna Dry Port and also all other state governments and private entities along this corridor to make sure that this is put to use. The benefits from this partnership will, among others, make our tracks protected from vandals, reduce the cost of goods in the market, improve the standard of living of our people, reduce inflation, and improve the means of doing business,” Opeifa said.
The ambitious plan is part of a broader government initiative aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure, a critical factor in driving economic development. The Renewed Hope Agenda, championed by President Tinubu’s administration, is focused on delivering tangible improvements across various sectors, and the NRC’s drive to streamline cargo movement is a cornerstone of this effort.
Opeifa’s statements reflect a clear vision: to transform Nigeria’s rail network into a reliable backbone for domestic and international trade. By assembling new wagons and addressing long-standing issues such as outdated rolling stocks, the NRC aims to not only boost cargo transport efficiency but also to significantly reduce the logistical challenges that have long plagued the movement of goods across the country.
Industry analysts have welcomed the NRC’s bold initiatives, emphasizing that efficient rail transport is crucial for lowering production costs and making Nigerian goods more competitive in the global market. “A robust railway system can dramatically cut transportation costs and time delays, which directly impacts the cost of goods. The NRC’s plan is a welcome development that could pave the way for significant economic growth,” commented a logistics expert based in Lagos.
The NRC’s commitment extends beyond mere infrastructure improvements. There is also a focus on strengthening operational protocols and leveraging technology to monitor and optimize cargo movement. By integrating modern tracking systems and advanced scheduling software, the NRC aims to provide real-time updates to stakeholders, thereby ensuring transparency and efficiency in every step of the logistics chain.
In a related development, the Managing Director of Inland Containers Nigeria Limited, Mr. Omotayo Dada, expressed satisfaction with the NRC’s efforts during his visit to the Kaduna Inland Dry Port. “The discussions we had today show that there is a lot to come in the future. The Dry Port is not idle—there is significant activity, and I am optimistic that productivity will increase by about 70 percent before the year ends,” he remarked.
The NRC’s strategic drive is set against the backdrop of broader economic reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s infrastructure and competitiveness. With a focus on reducing inflation, enhancing the standard of living, and supporting export activities, the agency’s initiatives are expected to have a ripple effect across the economy.
As the NRC pushes forward with its plans, the collaboration between government agencies, private entities, and state governments is seen as pivotal. The unified effort to modernize the rail network will not only facilitate the smoother movement of goods but will also contribute to job creation, technology adoption, and overall economic resilience.
In conclusion, the Nigeria Railway Corporation’s renewed focus on optimizing cargo transport under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda represents a major leap forward for the country’s logistics sector. With strategic investments in infrastructure, technology, and partnerships, the NRC is poised to play a critical role in reducing the cost of goods, enhancing business productivity, and driving Nigeria’s economic growth. As these initiatives take shape, stakeholders and the public eagerly await the transformative impact that a modernized rail network promises to deliver across Nigeria. Stay tuned for further updates on this landmark development.
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