Transport
Reactions Trail Railways Resuscitation
Sequel to the current efforts being made by the Federal Government towards reviving the almost moribund Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) several views have emerged as to why the railway must not be allowed to be moribund because of its strategic role in transportation of volumes of both agricultural and industrial goods across the country.
Some whom The Tide interacted with are of the views that the Nigerian Railway is the prime mover of both passengers and goods across the nation, and that the issue of depletion and rehabilitation of road, as a result of much pressure from heavy duty trucks which Federal Government spends several billions of naira from time to time is ruled out in the rail system.
A retiree of the NRC and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (FCILT) Mr. J. C. Ilukwe said past administrations in the country had paid lip service to the problem of Nigerian Railway.
According to him, “inspite of the known benefits of railways operations and how it serves the Nigerian populace, as well as reduces pressure on the road, yet past administrations did not show real commitment to its resuscitation, as several promises made just washed through the drain pipe”.
He said that government has without realising it lost several billions of naira as revenue that would have accrued from rail operation, and has also spent much on road rehabilitation due to much pressure of trucks on the nation’s high way.
The NRC retiree further posited that corporation during the leadership of the former Managing Director, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abubakar in its bid to return railway to full operations, revitalised several routes and made them to be functional and viable which many Nigerians do not know are existing, but that government failed on their part to fulfil their obligation in funding it.
He said “it will be quite surprising to people that NRC still maintain the various routes across the country, as well as maintain viable commodities routes, and the passenger freight ton had been on the increase progressively during that period”.
For Mr. Greg Nwankwo, a public analyst, the Federal Government this time have to show serious commitment towards the operations of the railway, unlike the other old promises that was not fulfilled, even with the reconstruction of the rail line from “narrow guage” to standard guage which was not fully realised even when contracts had been awarded.
Nwakwo posited “we have heared about the 25 locomotive engines ordered from China, and reports have indicated that five have arrived Nigeria, but all I want to say is that this should not be like other promises in NRC, because the masses are watching what government is upto in this rail transport thing”.
Corlins Walter
The Founder of ABC Transport Plc, Mr. Frank Nneji, has been honoured with an award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth, development and transformation of Nigeria’s transportation and logistics industry.
The award was presented by the management of City Business News Online during the organisation’s 10th Anniversary Celebration held in Lagos recently.
The event, which attracted leading stakeholders from the maritime, logistics, transportation, energy, banking and capital market sectors, marked a decade of impactful business journalism and industry reporting.
It also served as a platform to recognise institutions and individuals whose contributions have significantly impacted national development and economic growth.
Presenting the award, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, former Corp Marshall of FRSC, President, Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) and Keynote Speaker at the 10th Anniversary Lecture held in Lagos recently commended ABC Transport PLC for sustaining innovations.
For more than three decades, Nneji has remained at the forefront of efforts to modernise intercity transportation in Nigeria through the introduction of world-class operational standards, passenger safety initiatives and innovative transport solutions.
As the founder of ABC Transport Plc, he transformed what began as a modest transport enterprise into one of West Africa’s most recognised transportation and logistics brands, adding that the company today operates in more than 100 locations across Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and the Benin Republic, providing passenger transport, logistics and related services.
ABC Transport Plc also made history as the first transport company to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, a milestone that opened new opportunities for investment in the transport sector and broadened public participation in the company’s growth.
The company currently boasts over 22,000 shareholders.
Beyond transportation services, Nneji has played a significant role in advancing local vehicle assembly and industrial development through TSS Motors, a subsidiary of ABC Transport Plc.
Through its assembly plant in Enugu, the company assembles FORLAND vehicles, TSS trailers and SHACMAN trucks, contributing to local content development, job creation and Nigeria’s automotive manufacturing aspirations.
Industry stakeholders have often credited Nneji with pioneering innovations that elevated standards in the transport sector, particularly in areas of fleet management, passenger comfort, safety compliance and professional service delivery.
A graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nneji has continued to enhance his leadership and management capabilities through executive education programmes, including the Chief Executive Programme at the Lagos Business School and advanced executive training at the Wharton Business School.
His contributions to transportation and logistics have earned him several professional and national recognitions. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and has served in various leadership positions, including former President of the Owerri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.
The award, according to the organisers, is a testament to Nneji’s enduring legacy as a pioneer, industry leader and nation-builder whose contributions continue to shape the future of transportation and logistics in Nigeria and West Africa.
