After Two Decades at Ports, Customs Clears 98 Containers of Electricity Equipment

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has facilitated the release of 98 containers of electricity transmission equipment that had been held at Nigerian ports for as long as two decades, raising hopes of renewed progress in efforts to strengthen the country’s power infrastructure.

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, announced the development in Lagos, revealing that 44 containers were released from ENL Terminal, while 54 others were cleared from APMT and Sun & Moon Terminals.

He explained that the recovered containers form part of over 300 containers of power transmission equipment previously held at the ports.

The equipment consists of high-capacity transformers, cables and switchgear acquired to expand the transmission network, reduce pressure on overloaded substations and improve electricity delivery nationwide.

According to Tegbe, keeping the equipment at the ports for such an extended period significantly disrupted planned infrastructure projects, placed additional pressure on existing facilities and exposed valuable materials to deterioration, while also attracting accumulated charges.

“The equipment was procured to expand the transmission network and relieve overloaded substations. Its detention stalled projects, kept existing substations under heavy strain, exposed valuable assets to deterioration and accumulated charges on the cargoes,” he said.

The Minister further noted that the delay had contributed to additional costs for businesses, households and public institutions, many of which continue to face the consequences of an unreliable electricity supply.

Providing details of the clearance process, Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, said the Service had begun working with the Ministry of Power, the Nigerian Ports Authority and terminal operators to facilitate the evacuation of the equipment.

He attributed the development to a presidential directive, stating: “The release follows the President’s directive for immediate clearance and for agencies to resolve outstanding charges and administrative bottlenecks without delay.”

Adeniyi also committed the Customs Service to sustaining its collaboration with the Minister until all the containers were cleared. He appealed to terminal operators to support the initiative in the interest of the country’s electricity sector.

Further inspections of the recovered cargoes have reportedly shown that most of the equipment remains viable for use.

Tegbe said the materials would undergo verification and necessary technical assessments before being deployed to designated project locations.

“When evacuated, it will be verified, tested and refurbished where necessary, then deployed to project sites to complete stalled installations, relieve overloaded substations and strengthen constrained transmission corridors,” the Minister stated.

The initiative is expected to help revive delayed transmission projects and improve the capacity and reliability of Nigeria’s electricity network, subject to the successful testing, refurbishment and deployment of the recovered equipment.