NAN-HE-22
Christmas
By Uche Eletuo
Lagos, Dec. 21, 2016 (NAN) Apapa which houses multinationals in the maritime industry has remained without decorations to herald the Christmas and New year seasons, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
A maritime correspondent of NAN who went round on Wednesday reports that Apapa, known for its busy roads and polluted environment, was this time, devoid of facelifts and the usual Christmas decorations.
NAN reports that offices and roundabouts were not wearing seasoned looks, though businesses were on as usual.
In his responses to the non-decoration of the area with Christmas accessories, Mr Oliver Etuk of the International Freight Forwarders Association (IFFA), said that companies were operating at ebb.
Etuk, whose association hoisted their small decoration at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)Apapa Command’s Gate, told NAN that the recession in the country had its negative effects on the companies.
“Many of the companies did not make provision for such decorations this year because of the constant short fall in their revenue.
“We that managed to place one did not make it elaborate like last year, just for us to promote the name of the association,’’ Etuk told NAN.
Mr Kingsley Ukachukwu of the Sifax Group, said there was need for companies to show their appreciation to their host community in a time like this.
“As part of their social responsibilities, I still expect that organisations doing businesses in Apapa will realise the responsibilities to decorate the area in readiness for the Christmas and the incoming year.
“Most companies are groaning for lack of funds to engage in such projects. No thanks to the economic recession that the country has to contend with in the outgoing year,’’ he said. (NAN)
EUC/EAL/AJA
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(Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Adeleye Ajayi)