The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has directed the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and seaport terminal operators to expedite the clearance of hundreds of containers of electricity equipment that have been stranded at the nation’s ports for nearly two decades.
Some of the containers, which hold critical electricity infrastructure, have remained at the ports since 2007 due to administrative and bureaucratic bottlenecks that prevented their clearance.
Oyetola gave the directive during efforts to implement a presidential order for the evacuation of the long-abandoned cargoes, aimed at removing obstacles to the delivery of critical electricity infrastructure.
He directed the NPA and terminal operators to work with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Federal Ministry of Power to ensure the immediate evacuation of the equipment.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser, Bolaji Akinola, the minister stressed the need for effective coordination among government agencies and port stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the presidential directive.
He specifically instructed the NPA and terminal operators to prioritise the necessary logistics, cargo positioning and handling arrangements to facilitate the prompt release and evacuation of the equipment.
Oyetola said, “Mr. President’s directive is clear, and our responsibility is to ensure its effective implementation.
“NPA and terminal operators are to give this assignment the highest priority, work seamlessly with Customs and the Ministry of Power, and provide every necessary operational support to achieve the desired result.”
The minister reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to improving port efficiency, reducing cargo dwell time and ensuring that the country’s maritime infrastructure supports critical national development priorities.
He said the nation’s seaports should serve as strategic gateways for economic growth, industrial development and infrastructure delivery rather than become holding points for cargoes whose release is essential to national progress.
Oyetola also urged stakeholders to sustain the momentum of the clearance exercise, noting that the timely implementation of the presidential directive would demonstrate the government’s resolve to address institutional bottlenecks and accelerate critical infrastructure projects.