Port Harcourt, Nigeria – Maritime stakeholders, including importers, customs agents, and freight forwarders, have expressed deep frustration over the continued neglect of the cargo rail system in Nigeria’s southeast and South-South regions, accusing the Federal Government of marginalization.
They said the moribund rail infrastructure, which has remained largely untouched since the end of the Nigerian Civil War, has significantly hindered cargo movement and increased logistics costs in the eastern corridor.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, the stakeholders lamented that while the western and northern corridors have continued to benefit from massive rail infrastructure upgrades and cargo rail services, the eastern region remains completely cut off from these national economic lifelines.
“It is disheartening that over 50 years after the Civil War, the Federal Government has failed to revive the Port Harcourt to Maiduguri rail line which is key to decongesting the eastern ports and stimulating economic activities,” said a freight forwarder, Mr. Kelvin Eze.
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They argued that the neglect has stifled economic growth, discouraged investments at eastern seaports, and pushed more importers towards Lagos ports, resulting in chronic congestion and increased haulage costs.
Stakeholders also questioned the government’s commitment to balanced national development, noting that Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar ports continue to operate below capacity because goods cannot be moved efficiently inland by rail.
“Without an operational cargo rail system, the Eastern ports cannot compete. This puts our businesses at a disadvantage and increases the risk of road accidents due to over-reliance on trucks,” said Mrs. Rita Okoro, a customs agent.
They called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to treat the situation with urgency, describing the eastern rail neglect as a clear case of economic exclusion.
“Reviving the eastern rail corridor is not just a regional demand; it’s a national economic necessity,” they stressed.
They urged the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to prioritize the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu-Makurdi-Jos-Gombe-Maiduguri rail line, and integrate it into Nigeria’s National Railway Master Plan.
