The Federal Ministry of Power said it has secured the release of transmission equipment that had been stranded at the nation’s ports for up to 20 years.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, announced the development at a media briefing in Lagos on Friday.
Mr Tegbe said the first 44 containers were released from the ENL Terminal and another 54 from the APMT and Sun & Moon Terminals, bringing the total to 98 of the over 300 containers held.
What was inside the containers
The Minister explained that the equipment, which includes high-capacity transformers, cables and switchgear, was procured to expand the transmission network and relieve overloaded substations.
He said its detention stalled projects, kept existing substations under heavy strain, exposed valuable assets to deterioration and accumulated charges on the cargoes.
He noted that the cost is felt daily by businesses spending more on alternative power, families enduring interruptions and public institutions struggling to maintain essential services.
The release is in response to President Bola Tinubu’s directive that the cargoes be cleared immediately.
Mr Tinubu had earlier directed the Ministry of Power to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Ports Authority to resolve the issues that kept the equipment at the ports, and instructed the agencies to reconcile outstanding charges so the delays could end.
On Friday, Mr Tegbe said he and the Comptroller-General of Customs swung into action, working tirelessly to secure the release.
The minister credited Mr Tinubu for the breakthrough and thanked the Ministers of Finance and of Marine and Blue Economy, the Comptroller-General of Customs, and officials of the Ministry of Power and its agencies.
Customs pledges to clear the rest
Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, said the release follows the president’s directive for immediate clearance and for agencies to resolve outstanding charges and administrative bottlenecks without delay.
He said Customs has begun steps to clear the containers, working with the Ministry of Power, the Nigerian Ports Authority and terminal operators.
He pledged to work hand in hand with the Minister until all the containers are cleared, and appealed to terminal operators to give Nigeria the support required for an important national quest.
Equipment still viable
Upon inspection, Mr Tegbe said most of the equipment was found to be useful and viable.
ALSO READ: VeryDarkMan speaks on fallout with Davido, Zlatan
“When evacuated, it will be verified, tested and refurbished where necessary, then deployed to project sites to complete stalled installations, relieve overloaded substations and strengthen constrained transmission corridors.
“As these projects enter service, they are expected to deliver fewer interruptions from overloading, better voltage performance and a stronger network to carry electricity to homes, businesses and essential services,” the minister said.
Mr Tegbe assured Nigerians that the ministry would follow the recovery through to installation and commissioning and provide updates on the remaining containers, expressing confidence that they would be released without further delay.
“By recovering equipment that has hitherto lain idle for years, the government is converting policy into power, and promising into progress that people can feel in their homes, shops and workplaces, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu,” Mr Tegbe said.
