Customs Begins Evacuation of 98 Containers of Power Equipment Stranded for 20 Years

The Nigeria Customs Service has commenced the release and evacuation of 98 containers of power equipment that had remained stranded at Nigerian ports for up to 20 years.

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

He said the first batch included 48 containers from ENL Terminal, while another 50 containers at other terminals, including Tin Can Island Port, would also be released.

The consignments contain high-capacity transformers, cables, switchgear and other transmission equipment imported by the Federal Ministry of Power and government agencies, including the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company.

According to Adeniyi, some of the equipment had remained uncleared for between 14 and 20 years despite being imported for critical electricity projects.

He explained that the exercise followed a presentation by the Minister of Power at the Federal Electricity Council, after which President Bola Tinubu directed the immediate clearance of the consignments.

The President also directed relevant agencies to address outstanding charges and administrative obstacles delaying the release of the equipment.

Adeniyi said Customs was working with the Ministry of Power, TCN, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Nigerian Ports Authority and other stakeholders to complete the process.

He added that the service had introduced measures to speed up clearance, including priority processing, dedicated officers for joint examinations and the application of approved waivers and charges.

The Customs chief said technical experts would inspect the equipment after its release to determine which items remained serviceable. Those found suitable would be deployed to ongoing and planned electricity projects, including transmission corridors and substations, while obsolete equipment would be disposed of in line with existing regulations.

Adeniyi acknowledged the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, for approving waivers on charges that had accumulated while the equipment remained at the ports.

He also raised concerns about contractors who imported equipment for government projects but left the consignments at the ports without completing the projects for which public funds had been committed.

According to him, such actions deprived Nigerians of the electricity supply, employment opportunities and other benefits expected from the projects.

Adeniyi warned that contractors who received government payments but failed to deliver their contractual obligations could be engaging in economic sabotage.

He said Customs would work with the supervising ministry and relevant oversight agencies to identify other government-owned consignments that remained uncleared under similar circumstances.

The Customs boss stressed that the exercise would not be limited to power equipment, noting that other imports, including donations and consignments from international organisations, could also require attention.

He reaffirmed the service’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the power sector and ensure that equipment imported for public projects was put to productive use.