Customs clears 98 containers of electricity equipment held for 20 years

1 minute read

The Nigeria Customs Service has released 98 containers of electricity transmission equipment that had been stuck at the nation’s ports for up to 20 years, following a directive by President Bola Tinubu.

Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, announced this during a media briefing in Lagos, saying 44 containers were released from ENL Terminal, while another 54 were cleared from APMT and Sun and Moon Terminals.

He said the containers were among more than 300 held at the ports and contained high-capacity transformers, cables and switchgear meant to expand the transmission network and ease pressure on overloaded substations.

Tegbe explained that the prolonged detention of the equipment had delayed several power projects, exposed the materials to deterioration and led to mounting charges, while existing substations continued to struggle with heavy demand.

He said the release followed President Tinubu’s directive for the immediate clearance of the containers. The minister also thanked the Ministers of Finance and Marine and Blue Economy, the Comptroller-General of Customs and officials of the Ministry of Power for their roles in securing the release.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, said the service was working with the Ministry of Power, the Nigerian Ports Authority and terminal operators to clear the equipment. He assured the minister of Customs’ continued support until all the containers were released.

Tegbe said an inspection showed that most of the equipment was still in good condition. He added that the items would be evacuated, tested and refurbished where necessary before being moved to project sites to complete stalled installations and strengthen the transmission network.

The minister said the equipment would help ease pressure on the grid, improve voltage stability and reduce power interruptions. He assured Nigerians that the ministry would monitor its installation and commissioning while working to secure the release of the remaining containers.