NRC Inactivity Threatens N5bn Kaduna Inland Dryport Port

The inactivity of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is threatening the viability of the N5 billion Kaduna Inland Container Dry Port.

The Kaduna Inland Dry Port has the capacity to provide services for unloading of imported container cargoes for breakdown to smaller tons per consignee, as well as the consolidation of export cargoes for onward shipment to overseas destination.

The Inland Dry Port has the potential benefits of not only reducing transport cost and bringing shipping to the door steps of shippers, but to also generate employment opportunities in the region of about 5,000 jobs to the teeming population and boost both local and national economies.

However, commercial activities at the Kaduna Inland Container Dryport had suffered massive setback as the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has failed to move cargoes from the Apapa seaport to the dryport four months after commissioning.

Recall, that, President Muhammadu Buhari on January 2, 2018, officially flagged off the Kaduna ICD for activities.

The Kaduna ICD , the first of its kind in Nigeria, was created and designed to receive cargo from Apapa Port in Lagos, through the railway.

The dryport was also designated as Ports of origin for exports and ports of destination for imports. It was also designed to accelerate the implementation of the Federal Government economic diversification policy by providing for importers and exporters located within the nation’s hinterland, especially industrial and commercial outfits, access to shipping and port services without necessarily visiting the seaports.

However, the motives for the creation of the Dryport is greatly under threat as importers now move their cargoes from the port through trucks by road instead of rail.

Speaking to newsmen, a top management staff of the ICD said the inability of the NRC to move cargoes from the seaport to the ICD has affected operations.

The source who craved anonymity said few cargoes they received at the dryport were brought by trucks.

The senior management source said even though the corporation promised to dedicate wagons and locomotives at a stakeholders meeting in Lagos after the commissioning, they are yet to fulfil their promise.

“When we have a stakeholders meeting at Federal Palace Hotel, the Managing Director of NRC promised that they will dedicate locomotive and wagons but as at now, they have not done their parts but they promise they are working on it.

He stated further, that, Northern shippers have expressed disappointment over non-functional rail system into the dryport.

“Northern Shippers have been coming and asking whether the rail is working and we have told them they will start operations by this quarter. ‎They believe ‎rail is cheaper and safe.”

“If we use rail, we have more advantage to attract Northern Shippers and the dryport has cost leverage compared to what is obtainable in Lagos port. If we are to entice customers, rail use must be working because we can use rail for both import and export.

“They have not started moving containers either in or out but they have promised that before the end of this quarter they will give us locomotives and wagons. The movement of cargoes they did was last year and that was when they had a wash out ‎ but they have concluded the washout. What we needed now is wagons and locomotives.

“Since the train is not working, we have been getting cargoes by roads and you know our roads are bad and the best option is the rail. Even in South Africa that’s what is used.”

But the MD of NRC, Engineer Fidet Okhiria, disclosed that the corporation would be discussing with the Kaduna ICD management for movement of cargoes in and out of the dryport.

“We will be discussing with the Kaduna ICD management and if the goods going to the dryports are readily available then we are ready to move the cargoes.

“Rail doesn’t carry goods in pieces rather, we carry in bulk. We have the wagons and when they are ready they are loaded and not that they will be waiting for Mr A to bring one cargo or Mr B to bring in another cargoes rather it is direct from the shippers to the dryport.

“We believe the containers will be readily available and not one person taking container to Benin another to Warri but everyone having containers destined for Kaduna dryport being taken on the rail and have it loaded on the wagon and taken to the ICD.”