The minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali yesterday flagged off inaugural Frieght Train Service on Standard Gauge freight train service from Apapa, Lagos to Ibadan.
He said, the single track linking A.P Miller terminal will be used to evacuate containers from Lagos to Ibadan pending the harmonisation of discussions between Federal minister of Transportation and Nigerian Customs service on when the customs building will be demolished to pave way for linking the terminal with 2 additional standard gauge railway lines.
Managing director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Engr Fidet Okhiria, noted that, the flagoff of inaugural freight train on standard gauge railway line is a sign of good things to come.
He disclosed that the inaugural train is expected to evacuate 30 containers per trip, adding that, subsequently, the corporation will embark on 3 trips per day after customs check.
Okhiria also said, the train will also move empty directory, Bueno Logistics from Ibadan back to Lagos.
The executive director, Bueno Logistics, Mr Jetson Nwankwo said, the projection of the company is to evacuate 60 containers per day in the near future.
He stated that, the evacuation of containers through standard gauge will reduce the traffic congestion on the roads occasioned by trucks dotting the roads.