11yrs After, Tinubu Orders Release Of 44 Power Equipment Containers Stuck At Apapa
By Sunday Etuka
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the release of 44 containers of electrical equipment from the Apapa ports, the first batch of more than 300 containers that have been stranded there, some since 2014.
Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe announced the approval after the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
He said the President directed the Federal Ministry of Power to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to resolve the issues that kept the equipment at the ports.
According to a statement made available on Thursday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Power, Adeola Adelabu, the President also instructed the agencies to reconcile outstanding charges so the delays could end.
The Minister said the release of the first 44 containers shows that the collaboration is already producing results.
Tegbe said that after clearance, technical experts will inspect the equipment, deploy what is serviceable in ongoing power projects, and dispose of the rest appropriately.
He also recalled an earlier recovery effort by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) under the leadership of Engr. Jennifer Adighije.
The company recovered 110 abandoned containers and 216 packages, saving more than ₦30 billion and unlocking about 470 megawatts for the national grid through recovered turbines.
The clearance forms part of a wider effort to strengthen the grid and ensure that power generated reaches more homes and industries.
With presidential backing and closer cooperation between the Ministry of Power and the Nigeria Customs Service, the government is recovering equipment it has already paid for while building the capacity the country needs.
