Apapa port: FG to demolish Customs scanner, other obstructing infrastructures

By Seun Ibiyemi

In a bid to link the Apapa port with the standard gauge rail to evacuate containers and to reduce gridlock at the port environment, the Federal Government has said that the old scanner, other obstructing infrastructures will be demolished.

The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi disclosed this on Monday after the technical meeting with stakeholders on ways to resolve the challenges affecting the completion of the third track that leads to Apapa Port.

He said that Nigerian Customs Service has agreed to demolish the old scanner centre obstructing the laying of tracks into the Apapa port which would be done within six months.

Amaechi in a statement by his Media Assistant, Mrs Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni, said that a decision was reached to create a temporary alternative route inside the port during the period of the demolition.

The minister, however, said that the inauguration would hold in spite of the delay in completion of the last track, adding that the two tracks that led to the Apapa Port had already been completed.

“We have decided in the meeting that a temporary alternative route would be established inside the port while they start demolishing, after which the rail track will be laid and also a survey will be done under the water to find out about the cracks.

“We have also decided that the drainage should be expanded to accommodate more water to reduce the flood on the rail track. There are three tracks, only one track is not able to enter the port which will be resolved. They should be able to remove the customs building in six months,” he said.

He ,however, noted that freight operation directly from the port would reduce cost of doing business and increase government revenue.