The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has emphasised the crucial role of the private sector in revitalising rail transportation in Nigeria.

The director of operations and commercial services, NRC, Akinwunmi Osinowo, said this at the joint sensitisation between the NRC and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday in Lagos.

He said public-private partnerships were essential for unlocking the full potential of rail freight and decongesting Nigerian ports.

Mr Osinowo highlighted the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for private sector investment in the transport sector through favourable policies and budgetary allocations.

To enhance the attractiveness of rail transportation to shippers, he added that the government was focusing on improving service quality and efficiency.

Mr Osinowo stressed the need for strategic logistics platforms, such as Inland Container Depots (ICDs), to facilitate seamless cargo movement from ports to inland destinations.

“Effective cargo freight must ensure profitability for operators and justify the huge investments of the government in the sector,” he said.

Also, Comptroller Deran Nnadi, Customs Area Controller, Tincan Island Ports Customs, underscored the NCS’s role in facilitating cargo evacuation through efficient customs clearance processes and security.

Mr Nnadi made a presentation tagged “The Roles of the Nigeria Customs Service in the Evacuation of Cargoes from the Seaport to the Hinterland.”

He emphasised the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders involved in the logistics chain.

(NAN)