A barge conveying the first export of manganese, a solid mineral resource, is yet to arrive the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, ten days after it reportedly sailed from Ikorodu Lighter Terminal. The journey from Ikorodu to Apapa, both in Lagos, by barge is usually not more that six hours.
The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman had on Wednesday, February 7 flagged off the exportation of the solid mineral from Ikorodu to APM Terminals, Apapa.
At the highly publicised flag off ceremony, Usman said the movement of the solid mineral would bring “huge economic advantage” to the country and that using barges to ferry containers of solid mineral across the waters to
Apapa ports would take pressure off the roads.
However, checks by our correspondent over the weekend revealed that there was no sign of the controversial barge anywhere near the port, even as its arrival date remains a mystery.
When contacted, the Chief Executive Officer of Connect Rail Services Limited (CRSL) – operator of the barge – Edeme Kelikume, could not explain why the barge had not arrived Apapa.
He said he needed more time to respond to an enquiry on the matter sent to him since Saturday.
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