Apapa Customs Strengthens Stakeholder Collaboration To Boost Rail Cargo Transport

Apapa Customs Strengthens Stakeholder Collaboration To Boost Rail Cargo Transport

By Frank Odinukaeze

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing trade facilitation through stronger collaboration with key industry stakeholders, with a focus on leveraging rail transportation for more efficient cargo evacuation.

This renewed push was the highlight of a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held on Wednesday at the Apapa Command, which brought together representatives from the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), importers and exporters associations, clearing agents, freight forwarders, port regulators, and terminal operators.

In his remarks, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, said the meeting was in line with the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to drive logistics efficiency through a multimodal transport system.

“Recall that rail has been in operation for quite a while, so we want to fine-tune the process to improve our trade objectives. When we have a seamless trade process, it will benefit our stakeholders who are here today,” Olomu stated.

The CAC highlighted the potential of rail transport to decongest roads, reduce delays, and enhance the ease of doing business at Nigeria’s busiest seaport. He noted that while rail cargo movement has been functional, there is an urgent need to optimize operations to align with modern trade facilitation standards.

Comptroller Olomu commended the active participation of stakeholders at the meeting, describing their engagement as a “confidence booster” and a critical step towards achieving the shared objective of more efficient cargo movement through the port.

The stakeholders also deliberated on practical steps to deepen the adoption of rail transport, including infrastructure upgrades, policy support, and improved coordination between regulatory bodies and private sector operators.

With Apapa Port playing a central role in Nigeria’s international trade, the Customs boss emphasized that improved rail integration would not only ease port congestion but also accelerate cargo clearance times and reduce costs for businesses.

The meeting ended with a shared commitment from all parties to continue working together in fostering innovations that will drive Nigeria’s trade and logistics sector forward.