25 November 2016, Abuja – The Transmission Company of Nigeria has received 77 of its 218 abandoned containers carrying equipment for power transmission projects across the country.
The delivery of the abandoned containers was initiated by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, under the supervision of the Vice President’s Office.
It was gathered that the containers had been abandoned in various ports and terminals across the country for the past eight years.
Speaking on the commencement of the delivery of the abandoned equipment at the Duncan Terminal inside the TinCan Port, Apapa, Lagos, on Wednesday, Fashola said a six-man committee was constituted to initiate the release of the 218 containers.
The minister, who was represented by the Managing Director, TCN, Mr. Abubarka Atiku, said, “A lot of hard work has been put into the negotiations for the release of these consignments due to the accrued demurrage as a result of the suspension of the issuance of import duty exemption certificate for some period in 2014.”
He explained that on the release of the consignments, contractors would move to site immediately to complete ongoing priority and other projects, which would result in improved power supply.
Fashola said, “Some of these projects include the construction of new Abeokuta-Igboora double transmission line and 132kv double-circuit tee-off at Igboora-Igangan; construction of 2x60MVA, 132/33kV substation at Odogunyan and construction of 2x60MVA 132/33kV substation at Ayobo; Ikeja West Ayobo 132kV D/C transmission lines and 2x132kv line bays extension at Ikeja West; construction of Benin North-Osogbo 330KV DC line with turning in and out to the new Akure substation.”
According to him, others include the construction of the Kaduna-Jos 330KV D/C line in Plateau and Kaduna states; installation of 1x60MVA and 132/33kv power transformers, auxiliary equipment and devices at the GCM transmission substation, Onitsha; and construction of 330kv D/C Kaduna Power Plant-Mando substation transmission line.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Mr. Daniel Asukwo, said the government would release funds to expedite the release of the remaining abandoned containers.
– Punch
