Relief may be on the horizon for
electricity consumers as the Federal Government begins clearing hundreds of
containers of power equipment stranded at Nigerian ports, some since 2014, for
possible deployment to critical electricity infrastructure projects.
Acting on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's
directive, the Federal Ministry of Power has secured the release of the first
44 containers from Apapa Port, Lagos, out of more than 300 containers of
electrical equipment awaiting clearance.
Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, disclosed this following the recent Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja.
According to the Minister, President Tinubu
directed the Ministry to collaborate with the Nigeria Customs Service and
Nigerian Ports Authority to resolve longstanding administrative and financial
bottlenecks responsible for the delays, including the reconciliation of
outstanding port charges.
"The release of the first 44 containers
represents significant progress in our determination to recover critical power
assets and accelerate infrastructure development," the Minister stated.
He explained that technical experts would
assess the recovered equipment to determine its condition and suitability for
deployment, with serviceable assets integrated into ongoing power projects
while unserviceable items would be appropriately disposed of.
The development follows earlier recovery
efforts by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), under the leadership
of Engr. Jennifer Adighije, which reportedly retrieved 110 abandoned containers
and 216 packages, saving over ₦30 billion and facilitating the recovery of
turbines associated with approximately 470 megawatts of generation capacity.
The latest intervention underscores the
Tinubu administration's commitment to unlocking stranded public investments,
strengthening electricity infrastructure, and addressing bottlenecks affecting
power delivery nationwide.
With sustained inter-agency collaboration,
the Federal Government aims to convert long-idle equipment into productive
assets capable of supporting improved electricity supply to Nigerian homes and
businesses.

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