Rail-Port Integration: Opeifa Urges Urgent Action to Boost Nigeria’s Freight Efficiency
Dr. Kayode Opeifa, MD of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, has called for urgent integration of rail and port systems at the quarterly stakeholders meeting of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council. He warned that without effective rail links, recent maritime reforms and deep-sea port investments will yield only marginal gains. He pointed to persistent cargo bottlenecks at Lagos and along the eastern corridor. He stressed that a functional rail freight network is vital to ease congestion, cut logistics costs, and strengthen Nigeria’s trade competitiveness. Key rail projects are nearing completion. The Kaduna-Kano line is almost done. Approvals are in place to link major corridors directly to ports nationwide. Plans include extending the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge to Apapa and Tin Can Island, and connecting the Warri-Itakpe line to Warri Port. Dr. Opeifa also outlined a new line from Lekki Deep Sea Port through Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu to link the Lagos-Ibadan corridor. He urged transport operators to support these initiatives and highlighted federal interest in high-speed rail under a new implementation committee.
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