By Aisha Cole and Yunus Yusuf
The Management of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Wednesday took delivery of 77 containers of electricity equipment, out of 218 stranded containers, left for more than eight years in Lagos ports.
The Ministry of Works said the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had in all, succeeded in securing the release of 218 stranded containers of power equipment to complement Federal Government’s effort in providing stable power supply in the country.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, made the disclosure at the commencement of the delivery of the stranded containers, 77 of which were collected from DUNCAN Terminal in Lagos on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this left 141 containers to be delivered.
Fashola, who was represented by the Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Mr Tanbuwa Atiku, commended the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari’s effort in ensuring stable power supply.
He said that with the delivery of the power equipment, Nigerians would begin to experience effective power supply.
“President Buhari has graciously approved the disbursement of funds for clearance of the stranded containers of the power equipment and materials at various port terminals to improve power delivery to Nigerians.
“I want to appreciate the efforts of the Vice President of Nigeria Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola; and Managements of TCN; for the actualisation of delivery of the stranded containers,“ Atiku said.
The minister’s representative commended the efforts of the shipping companies and the terminal operators for being supportive of the Federal Government and for cooperating with the ministry in achieving success of the project.
In his presentation, the TCN chief executive said that the company had put in tremendous efforts for the actualisation of the release of the stranded containers.
Atiku said that the containers had accrued demurrage as a result of suspension of the issuance of Import Duty and Exemption Certificate since 2014.
He commended government’s effort for the tremendous support in releasing the containers, adding that the contractors would move to site immediately for the completion of the on-going project.
“The equipment will be used by the contractors in some areas like: construction of new Abeokuta-Igboora double transmission line.
“Also 133kv Odongunyan, 133kv at Ayobo, Ikeja, Benin, Oshogbo, 330kv in Akure, Plateau, Kaduna among others,“ Atiku said.
He, however, urged both the shipping companies and terminal operators to continue their gestures for President Buhari’s administration in moving the stranded power project containers out of the terminals.
The Chairman, House Committee on Power, Rep. Daniel Asuquo, said that the House felt elevated to be part of the success story of the release of the stranded electricity materials at the ports.
Asuquo said that within a year of this administration, the Federal Government was able to address pending electricity equipment challenges.
According to him, we have made funds available to the ministry and TCN and advised the management to make use of the fund judiciously.
The Cheif Executive Officer of DUNCAN Terminal, Mr Godfrey Shitgurum, assured total commitment to the development and effective distribution of electricity to the general populace.
He lauded government’s initiative toward clearing the stranded power materials and improving electricity supply in the country.
Shitgurum urged government to urgently look into the repair of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, adding that this had affected the socio-economic growth of the port.
“We are in support of government’s policies toward `Change’ and total eradication of corruption.
“The expressway has been in deplorable state over the years. The previous government has not been able to find lasting solution to this but we trust this government can make the expressway accessible again,“ NAN quotes Shitgurum as saying.
