Customs clears 98 containers of trapped power equipment

The Nigeria Customs Service has cleared and begun the evacuation of 98 containers containing power equipment that had been stranded at Nigerian ports for over two decades. Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced this development on Friday during the launch of the evacuation operation at the Apapa port. The consignment includes transformers, cables, switchgear, and other crucial transmission equipment which were imported by various government agencies and organizations.

Adeniyi underscored that numerous power equipment imports remained uncleared in the ports, with some cases lasting between 14 and 20 years. This situation prompted President Bola Tinubu's directive to the Federal Electricity Council, which led to the immediate clearance of these equipment. Subsequently, the service commenced the clearance of more than 200 containers of power equipment, with the first 48 containers being released today.

The clearance of these equipment is part of the Nigerian Customs Service's collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, and other stakeholders to expedite the process. They are leveraging priority processing, dedicated examination officers, and the application of approved waivers or charges to facilitate this operation.

Technical experts will inspect the equipment, and serviceable items will be deployed to ongoing and upcoming projects, including transmission corridors and substations across the country.

Obsolete items will be disposed of in compliance with existing regulations. Adeniyi highlighted that some contractors awarded government projects imported power equipment and abandoned them at the ports without fulfilling their commitments, which he described as economic sabotage. He emphasized that these contractors should be held accountable and urged the relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to engage with Nigeria Customs Service to prevent such from occurring again.

The service is also committed to supporting the Federal Government's drive to revitalize the power sector. Adeniyi appealed to all ministries, departments, and agencies with consignments at ports to work with Nigeria Customs and Border Protection to avoid hindering critical national development projects.