The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council ( NSC ), Hassan Bello has said that the Lagos-Ibadan rail project, when completed, will be a solution to traffic jam currently being exprienced at Nigerian Ports in Lagos.
Speaking to newsmen in Odeda, Ogun state while on inspection of the project, Bello noted that the rail service would decongest the ports, saying currently only one mode of transportation was being used and 90 per cent of the cargoes came out through the roads.
He said, “when we have a cheaper mode, the other modes will be affected. With this project, Nigeria will never be the same again”.
Bello said the project would also be of great benefit to shippers in the country, more than anybody because the cost of transportation of their cargoes from the sea to their warehouses would reduce drastically.
Speaker slot: Crack in APC deepens as North central group protests
“Truck is the only method we have now. The truckers will have competition and the law of demand and supply will apply and then the security and safety of the cargo will imporve. So, there will be delivery of cargo in smooth ways,” he said.
Bello further noted that the Lagos-Ibadan rail project when completed would open up the country to many investment and other economic activities that would create wealth for nation.
He added, “there will be opportunity for investment from the private sector especially in stations which are ten in number. So, there will be opportunity foremployment, involvement of the community and it is not just that.
“We are creating chains of opportunities, lines of communication and also the employment content of this project is very high. These activities will yield positively on the economy of the country,” he said.
and then