By Gold Jeremiah
Relief is on the way for electricity consumers across Nigeria as power equipment that hitherto lay idle at the nation's ports begins moving towards being deployed to the national grid. Acting on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Power has facilitated the clearance of 44 containers from the Apapa ports out of over 300 stranded containers of electrical equipment, some held since 2014.
Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe announced the approval after the last Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja. He said the President directed the Ministry to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Ports Authority to resolve the issues that kept the equipment at the ports, and instructed the agencies to reconcile outstanding charges so the delays could end. The release of the first 44 containers is testimony that the collaboration is already producing results.
•Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe
Tegbe stated that after clearance, technical experts will inspect the equipment, deploy what is serviceable in ongoing power projects and dispose of the rest appropriately. Recall that the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) under the leadership of Engr. Jennifer Adighije had recovered 110 abandoned containers and 216 packages, saving more than ₦30 billion and unlocking about 470 megawatts to the national grid through recovered turbines.
The clearance is part of a wider effort to strengthen the grid and ensure that power generated reaches more homes and industries. With presidential backing and enhanced cooperation between the Ministry of Power and the Nigeria Customs Service, the government is recovering the equipment it has already paid for while building the capacity the country needs.
