Shippers Council Bemoans Lack of Transport Connectivity

Abiola Seun |

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), has bemoaned the lack of connectivity in the nation’s transport sector.

Delivering the keynote address yesterday at the maiden national transportation summit and induction of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIoTA) titled ‘Unlocking the Potentials of Transportation for Sustainable Development’ held in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Council, Barr. Hassan Bello said lack of transport infrastructure pushed up production cost by 45percent.

According to him, to bring down the cost of production, there must be inter-modalism among all modes of transportation.

He said, “The cost of doing business in Nigeria and connectivity of pipeline, inland waterways, railway and air transportation are critical. The port in Baro must be able to speak to the Inland Dry Port in Kaduna. Nigeria’s transportation system lacks connectivity.

“UNCTAD scored Nigeria very low over lack of connectivity and until Shippers Council begins to wage war that there was no train linkage to Lekki Port. We want CIoTA to take over and to concentrate on making things better,” he advised.

Bello further stated that huge distortions in the nation’s transport system is affecting the diversification of the Nigerian economy.

According to him, CIoTA should begin massive advocacy by ensuring transport policy for integrated infrastructure.

“There are massive distortions in the transport system which is eating up the economy and this is not good for a country that wants to diversify its economy. For instance, Kaduna Dry Port has no inspection agency and even the export of ginger has to go to Lagos. CIoTA will concentrate on transport policy and work with others to come up with integrated infrastructure. What we want is multi-modalism, but we need inter-modalism more, where goods brought by sea by the ship are offloaded and taken by the train or inland waterways.

“There must be a policy that certain percentage of goods must be carried by inland waterways, road, pipeline and a majority by rail. If we have the pipeline, why will tankers go to Apapa because pipelines are means of transport. We have chaos, indiscipline in Apapa and the port is presently overwhelmed. That was why we said that the NPA should own the whole of Apapa”, he concluded.