Tunde Bakare
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command, has engaged key stakeholders to enhance trade facilitation and optimise cargo movement via rail.
The event, which was held at the Command on Wednesday, brought together representatives of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), clearing agents, and freight forwarders, among others.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, noted that the meeting was in line with the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, to improve logistics through multimodal transport systems.
He said: “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.”
Meanwhile, he applauded the commitment of the partners present at the meeting, describing their participation as a “confidence booster” that reinforces the shared goal of efficient cargo movement.
Representing the NRC, the Head of Operations, Akin Oshinowo, reiterated the agency’s longstanding cooperation with the Service. “We have always found a willing partner in the Comptroller and his men, which forms part of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) established years ago.”
“The discussion we had today aligns with the NRC’s objectives and supports the renewed hope agenda for rail transportation in Nigeria,” he said.
Stakeholders commended the initiative, noting its potential to reduce the cost of imports and improve the overall efficiency of cargo distribution.
The National Coordinator of the Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers & Exporters Coalition, Dr Osita Chukwu, said, “With what the government is doing, we hope it will not be limited to just one region but extended across the entire country, as is the case elsewhere.”
The engagement featured an interactive session during which participants discussed the challenges facing cargo rail transport and proposed actionable solutions for improvement.
This information was disseminated in a press statement signed by the Apapa Customs Command spokesman, CSC Tunde Ayagbalo.