By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos
Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) has expressed disappointment that Nigeria’s seaports have not been linked with railway lines for the evacuation of cargoes.
According to STOAN, moving cargoes by train is what is obtainable in other countries at the present time , and therefore, urged government to emulate those countries on the system.
Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess (Dr.) Vicky Haastrup, said this at a town hall meeting titled: “Achieving Effective Digitalization of Nigeria’s Maritime Industry.”
The event which was organized by The League of Maritime Editors and Publishers took place in Lagos on Thursday, 25th November 2021.
“By now there should be a rail line that will evacuate cargoes from Nigerian ports. In other countries of the world you don’t see trucks, trailers evacuating cargoes from ports, Haastrup emphasized.”Right now the rail connectivities are still not there.”
The STOAN leader called on the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to connect all seaports in the country by rail.
“The rail connectivity should cut across the nation,” Haastrup said.
On the theme of the event, she stated that she supports the application of automation system, but pointed out that a lot of work needs to done to achieve such desire.
