Nigerian railway says Apapa tracks vandalism hindering cargo train movement

Nigerian railway says Apapa tracks vandalism hindering cargo train movement

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has expressed serious concern over the increasing vandalism of railway assets at Apapa Port, which is severely affecting cargo rail transportation.

During a one-day stakeholders’ sensitization summit titled “Limitations to Rail Transportation of Cargo in Nigeria,” organized by the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) in collaboration with the NRC, Akinwunmi Oshilowo, NRC’s Director of Operations and Commercial Services, highlighted the challenges the corporation is currently facing.

Oshilowo pointed out that, besides the issue of vandalism, NRC locomotives are struggling to access the port due to the congestion caused by numerous trucks blocking the railway right of way within the Apapa Bulk Terminal Limited (ABTL) section of the port. He described bringing locomotives into the APM Terminals at Apapa as a “nightmare,” stressing the need for clearer jurisdiction between rail and port authorities to address this problem.

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He explained that the corridor leading into the ports, particularly around the ABTL terminal, is narrow and perpetually congested with trucks, often leading to accidents involving NRC locomotives. Oshilowo expressed frustration over the repeated destruction of repaired railway tracks and called on the relevant authorities to take immediate action to resolve the issue.