More than 98 containers of power transmission equipment that had been stranded at Nigerian ports for nearly two decades have been approved for release, Minister of Power Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe has announced.
Tegbe said the equipment was originally purchased to expand Nigeria’s electricity transmission network, ease pressure on overloaded substations and improve power supply. However, the containers had remained at the ports for almost 20 years.
He disclosed that the Nigeria Customs Service had approved the release of the first 98 containers, describing the development as an important step towards strengthening the country’s national grid.
According to the minister, engineers will inspect and test the equipment to determine its condition before deploying it to locations where it is most urgently needed.
He explained that putting the equipment to use would help restart delayed power projects, reduce the strain on overloaded substations and improve the reliability of electricity transmission across the country.
Tegbe also revealed that the government was working to secure the release of more than 200 additional containers, expressing hope that the process would be completed without further delays.
The minister thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigeria Customs Service, relevant federal ministries, the Nigerian Ports Authority, terminal operators and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for their roles in facilitating the release.
Describing the development as progress towards improving electricity infrastructure, Tegbe said: “A stronger grid, one step at a time.”
