{
  "id": 18495479,
  "title": "Trapped 98 containers of power equipment released by Customs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/trapped-98-containers-of-power-equipment-released-by-customs-18495479",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T12:18:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/trapped-98-containers-of-power-equipment-released-by-customs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nigeria Customs Service has released 98 out of 300 containers of power equipment that had been stuck at ports for over two decades. Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi announced this during the launch of the evacuation process in Apapa on Friday. The containers contained high-capacity transformers, cables, switchgear, and other transmission equipment that were imported by the Federal Ministry of Power and government agencies, such as the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company. Some of these supplies had been stranded for 14 to 20 years at the ports.\n\nPresident Bola Tinubu directed the immediate clearance of the trapped equipment following a presentation by the Minister of Power at the Federal Electricity Council. Adeniyi stated that the President also ordered relevant agencies to resolve all outstanding charges and administrative obstacles as quickly as possible. The Customs service has begun clearing more than 200 containers of power equipment, beginning with the release of the first 48 containers from the ENL Terminal today. Additional containers will be released from terminals in Tin Can and other ports.\n\nThe Customs service is collaborating closely with the Federal Ministry of Power, TCN, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Nigerian Ports Authority, and other stakeholders to complete the process as soon as feasible. They have applied all facilitation measures within their authority, such as priority processing of consignments, dedicated officers for joint examination, and the application of approved waivers or charges that were allowed while the goods remained out there. Technical experts will inspect the equipment, with serviceable items being deployed to ongoing and future projects, including transmission corridors and substations across the country. Obsolete items will be disposed of according to established regulations.\n\nAdeniyi acknowledged the approval of waivers on the charges accrued on the consignments by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele. He emphasized that certain contractors who received government project funding and then abandoned the equipment at the ports without completing the projects were engaging in economic sabotage. The Customs chief stated that the service would work with supervisory ministries and relevant oversight agencies to identify government consignments that remained uncleared for similar reasons. They are not just focusing on power sector equipment; they are also addressing numerous other imports brought into the country, including donations and items from international organizations and global agencies.",
  "summary": "The Nigeria Customs Service has announced the release and evacuation of 98 out of 300 containers of power equipment that had been trapped at the ports for over 20 years. Read More: https://punchng.com/trapped-98-containers-of-power-equipment-released-by-customs/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}