Kunle Kalejaye
25 November 2016, Sweetcrude, Lagos — Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN on Wednesday received 77 out of 218 of its abandoned containers loaded with power equipment meant for power projects in the country.
The delivery of the TCN abandoned power projects containers was initiated by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, under the supervision of the country’s Vice President Office.
It would be recalled that power projects containers were abandoned in various ports and terminals across the country for over eight years.
Speaking about the commencement to deliver TCN’s abandoned equipment at Duncan Terminal in TinCan port Apapa, Lagos, Fashola who was represented by the Managing Director, CEO of TCN, Engr. Abubakar Atiku said a six-man committee headed by Mr. Chuks Osije of TCN was constituted to initiate the release of the 218 abandoned power projects containers.
“A lot of hard work has been put into 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 201,” Fashola said.
He explained that on the released of the consignment, contractors will move to site immediately and complete on-going priority/other projects which will result in improved power supply.
“Some of these projects include: 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 Auobo, 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 new Akure substation,” he said.
Others are “Construction of Kaduna-Jos 330KV DC line, Plateau and Kaduna State; Installation of 1x60MVA & 132/33kv power transformers, auxiliary equipment and devices at GCM transmission substation Onitsha; and Construction of 330kv D/C Kaduna Power Plant –Mando Substation Transmission Line, to name a few,” he added.
Engr. Abubakar Atiku in his capacity remains hopeful that other shipping companies and terminal operators will be supportive to government and corporate in an effort to move other power project containers at various terminals to project sites.
Atiku added that N3 billion was the budget for the release of the abandoned containers but only N1 billion was released to the six-man committee to work with.
Meanwhile, Chairman House Committee on Power, Mr. Daniel Effiong Asukwo said the government will release funds to expedite the release of the remaining abandoned containers.
