Tinubu orders release of 300 power equipment seized 20 yrs ago

Electricity consumers across Nigeria are set to benefit from a stronger, more dependable grid as the Federal Ministry of Power, has secured the release of 98 out of 300 transmission equipment stranded at the nation’s ports for up to 20 years.

Announcing the development at a media address in Lagos, Minister of Power, Joseph 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 over 300 containers held.

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.

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.

According to him, the release is in response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that the cargoes be cleared immediately, and the minister and the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) swung into action, working tirelessly to secure it. Tegbe credited the president for the breakthrough and thanked the Ministers of Finance and of Marine and Blue Economy, CGC and officials of the Ministry of Power and its agencies.

Speaking at the event, the CGC, 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.

Customs has begun steps to clear the containers, working with the Ministry of Power, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) 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.

“Upon inspection, most of the equipment was found to be useful and viable. 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” he said.

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 laid idle for years, Tegbe noted that the government is converting policy into power, and promise into progress that people can feel in their homes, shops and workplaces, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.ENDS

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