By seaflyponews 
Apapa area command of Nigeria Customs strengthens collaboration with stakeholders to boost cargo evacuatiion
By Babatunde Aremu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has engaged key stakeholders to enhance trade facilitation and optimise cargo movement via rail transportation.
At a stakeholders meeting organised by the command on Wednesday, representatives of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), importers and exporters associations, clearing agents and freight forwarders associations, port regulators and terminal operators came together to brainstorm on how to deepen adoption of the railway for exiting of cargoes from the Nigeria’s premier port.
Speaking at the meeting, 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.”
He also lauded 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.
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Representing the NRC, the Head of Operations, Mr Akin Oshinowo, reiterated the agency’s longstanding cooperation with the NCS.
“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.
Customs Area Controller, Apapa Port Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu (m); Head of Operations, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Mr Akin Oshinowo (r) and his colleague (l), shortly after the stakeholders meeting, on Wednesday.
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.