Fidelia Okafor

The power equipment detained by terminal operators and Shipping Companies over unsettled port charges has been taken delivery of by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN.

Over 700 containers with key power components are affected and have been detained in the last 8 years.

A six man committee set up in March this year, and headed by Chuka Ochije, assisted the power, works and housing minister, Babatunde Fashola to negotiate the release of the items.

According to ongoing negotiation, the containers would be released in phases.

At the moment the committee has succeeded in securing release of 218 of the containers. stranded at the ports in Lagos.

The TCN however yesterday took delivery of 77 of the containers held Duncan Bonded Terminal at Tin Can port.

The Minist‎er, who was represented by the Managing Director of Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN),Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, during the hand over of the containers said a lot of hardwork was put into negotiations to ensure the release of the power materials due to the accrued demurrage as a result of the suspension of the issuance of import duty exemption certificate since 2014.

Fashola said following the delivery of the containers, contractors will move to site immediately and complete choice power ‎projects such as the construction of new Abeokuta-Igboora double transmission line and 132 double-circuit Tee-off at Igboora-Igangan;construction of 2X60MVA,132/33KV substation at Odogunyan as well as construction of 2X60MVA,132/33KV substation at Ayobo,Ikeja West Ayobo 132KV D/C transmission lines and 2X132KV line bays at Ikeja West,Lagos.

It would also boost the construction of Benin North-Osogbo 330KV DC line,Kaduna-Jos 330KV DC line,Plateau and Kaduna state as well as installation of 1X60MVA and 1XMVA 132/33KV power transformers, auxillary equipment and devices at GCM transmission substation Onitsha.

The  Minister added that the delivery of the power equipment would boost construction of 330KV D/C Kaduna power plant-Mando substation and transmission line‎.

He said:”We hope other shipping companies and terminal operators will be supportive of this administration and cooperate with us in our effort to move other power project containers at their various terminals to project sites,so that Nigerians can enjoy the dividend of change”

In his remarks,Managing Director of Duncan Bonded Terminal,Dr.Godfrey Bawa Shitgurum, expressed his company’s readiness to support the federal government to boost power supply in the country.

He said:”We are in total support of the federal government in all policies of change and total eradication of corruption”.

He also appealed to the federal government to fix the Oshodi-Apapa expressway which had defied lasting solutions by previous government in the country.