Customs releases 98 containers of power equipment after 20 years

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has cleared 98 of 300 power equipment containers trapped at the ports for over 20 years.

Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, announced the development in Apapa during the flag-off of the exercise on Friday.

Adeniyi revealed that the power equipment had been at the ports for a very long period, with some consignments abandoned for 14 to 20 years.

Some of the equipment includes gear switchers, cables, high-capacity transformers, among others, imported into the country through the Federal Ministry of Power, Niger Delta Power Holding Company and the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

The Customs boss explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the immediate clearance of the equipment following a presentation by the Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, at the Federal Electricity Council. The President also ordered relevant agencies to resolve administrative bottlenecks to facilitate the immediate release of the cargo.

“In line with that presidential directive, this service has commenced the immediate clearance of more than 200 containers of power equipment. Today, I am here with the Honourable Minister of Power to flag off the release of the first 48 containers from ENL Terminal. Another 50 containers at other terminals in Tin Can and other ports will also be released,” Adeniyi said.

Adeniyi said the service has deployed measures including “priority processing of consignments, dedicated officers for joint examination, and the application of approved waivers or charges that are approved during the period when the goods remain out there.”

He also added that experts will examine the items and dispatch serviceable ones to ongoing and upcoming projects in the country, while damaged ones will be disposed of in accordance with existing protocols.

The Customs boss acknowledged the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, for approving waivers on the charges accrued on the equipment.

He went on to accuse contractors of not clearing imported equipment from the ports and abandoning government projects after receiving funds for execution.

Adeniyi stressed that such practices deny the public access to electricity and jobs for the youths.