Contrary to the recent alarm allegedly raised by the Governing Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA that some explosives were found in some of the overtime cargoes at the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal in Lagos state, investigation has revealed that there are no such cargoes.

A recent investigation carried out by this 0medium has revealed that the said containers which the NPA reportedly said had been at the terminal for 44years had been there for only two years.

Recall that the NPA had reportedly stated that the Federal Government might be forced to shut down the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal in Lagos over some explosive laden containers in the overtime cargoes in the terminal.

The governing Board members of NPA had further expressed worries of some overtime cargoes that had been abandoned for over 44years at the facility and called on management of the Nigeria Customs Service to expedite actions to evacuate some of the detained consignments.

But a discreet investigation by our correspondent revealed that there are no explosives in the containers and that the said containers are actually laden with Ammonium nitrate used commonly in fertilizers, in pyrotechniques, herbicides, insecticides and in the manufacture of nitrous oxide.

It can also be used as an absorbent for nitrogen oxides, an ingredient of freezing mixtures, an oxidizer in rocket propellants, and a nutrient for yeast and antibiotics.

The investigation further revealed that there are only 10 containers laden with the Ammonium nitrate out of which 9 (nine) had been cleared and delivered by the agent remaining only one at the terminal which will be cleared very soon.

A source which spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity dismissed NPA’s alarm, describing it as baseless and unfounded.

It added that the report by the NPA that there are some 44years old containers in the Ikorodu terminal is false and misleading and should be disregarded by the general public.

“For your information, it is false for anybody to say that some containers have been here in this Ikorodu Lighter Terminal for 44 years. If I may ask you, how old is this facility? I’m certain it is not up to 44 years,” a source volunteered.

The investigation further revealed that if there are explosives in any container, the landing certificate will state it. It was gathered that the reason for the delay of the said containers may not be unconnected with the fact that the end user certificate for  clearing them was not signed on time and therefore absolved the Nigerian Customs Service of any blame.

The investigation stated that NPA’s call on the federal government to shut down the Ikorodu lighter terminal was baseless since nine out of ten of the said cargoes which does not pose any danger as alleged by the NPA had been cleared while the remaining one will be cleared soon.