Customs Building Obstructing Rail Line In Apapa Port To Be Demolished – Minister

Harboursandport.com: Lagos - Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemi Saraki on Monday said that the building obstructing the completion of the rail line from Apapa port will be demolished.

The minister who disclosed this when she paid a working visit to the Lagos ports, said it has been agreed that the building be demolished. She also said that there will soon be a meeting between the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, and the Ministry of Transportation over the demolition of the building belonging to the NCS.

In her words, “It has been agreed that the building is going to be demolished but the fact is that it is a radioactive facility. It is a scanner and we have to ensure that the demolition is done safely.

“Although this building looks big, it is actually a minor issue that will be resolved by the time the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) seat together to discuss it.

“We want to ensure that before the end of next month, the activities here have improved. By the end of this month, we want to ensure that the removal of this Customs facility which is on the rail track is resolved. The goal is to have this track operational by the end of this month. 

“We are here to look at the issues affecting activities to connect the rail to the Apapa seaport. As you can see, the construction of this standard gauge has been ongoing for more than two years and I came here to inspect the activities.”

On the dilapidating port infrastructure at Tin-can Island port, she said; “Let us be very frank. It is a bit sad that Tin Can Terminal has taken it upon themselves to find a solution. Palliative would not work anymore. We need to find a long-term solution to this problem. This is just one terminal.

“We have seen another terminal with the same challenge. We need to take a holistic approach to solve this. Tin Can is one of the major ports that we have. As I have said earlier and I will keep repeating that the port is one of one main engine rooms of our economy. So, dilapidated ports are not going to engender economic growth. We need to ensure that we take a holistic approach as soon as possible. And I assure you that we will. 

“President takes ports seriously and you know our government is about infrastructure. So, I assure you that we are going to take it up while we come out with a solution.

“As per the repair, you do not stop everything to do and start again. It is done in conjunction and round to ensure that businesses continue. That is one of the problems because it is not just a segment.

“Finding a solution, we will be able to do that without necessarily stopping everybody the Ministry is going to sit down to discuss the solution with the experts. This discussion will proffer a solution without necessarily hindering activities in the Terminals,” she said.