Nigerian Customs Service has agreed to demolish its old scanner centre obstructing the laying of rail tracks along the Lagos-Ibadan rail project leading into the Apapa port within six months.
Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi in a statement by his Media Assistant, Mrs.Taiye Elebiyo Edeni, says there was a technical meeting with stakeholders on ways to resolve the challenges affecting the completion of the third track that leads to Apapa Port.
It explains that a decision was also reached to create a temporary alternative route inside the port during the period of the demolition.
The Minister, however, said that the inauguration of the Lagos Ibadan rail line would hold in spite of the delay in completion of the last track.
He noted that two other 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”. Minister stated.
“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.
The statement adds that freight operation directly from the port would reduce cost of doing business and increase government revenue.
RN