Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, NRC Strengthen Collaboration To Address Logistics Challenges

Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, NRC Strengthen Collaboration To Address Logistics Challenges

By prince Benson Davies

The Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have agreed to strengthen their working relationship to address the logistics challenges in the nation’s port system.
The agreement was reached when the NPCC visited the Managing Director of NRC, Mr. Freeborn Okhiria, yesterday in Lagos, while Chairman of NPCC, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola, said the visit was an opportunity to introduce and resuscitate the relationship between the NRC and the council.
 Sunmola said the visit would pave ways for functional transportation in Nigeria, noting that a robust partnership between the NPCC and NRC could lead to synergies that will be beneficial to the rail and maritime sectors.
“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,” he said.
He listed the core responsibilities of NPCC to include advisory roles, advocacy, consulting services and arbitration.

Also, a member of the council, Capt. Emmanuel Ebubeogu commended the management of NRC on rail line transformation and urged the council to look into the level crossing that lacks a keeper and barrier along the dockyard road inward Navy and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
“I develop ‘goose pimples’ anytime I pass there because the house has been broken down as a result of modernization, 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,” he said.
Responding, Okhiria, who was represented by the Director of Operations at NRC, Mr. Akin Osinowo, noted that the support from the NPCC would drive change in the port, saying: “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 the 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 the structure for its commercial use, and as a neutral body, we need your support on this.”