The Minister of State for Health, Dr Muhammad Pate, said in Abuja that the ministry would investigate the multi million naira hospital equipment alleged to be trapped at the Lagos port.

Pate told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that government had improved the efficiency of clearance of containers at the ports.

"Within the context of overall port reforms, the Federal Government has improved the efficiency of clearance of containers at the ports.

" The equipment is likely outstanding containers from several years back that accumulated demurrage as a result of failure to clear them successfully on time.

"I have asked the ministry to investigate the issue thoroughly and revert to me."

NAN reports that the outgoing Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti, Dr Ololade Ojo, has alleged that hospital equipment worth millions of naira were rotting away at the Lagos port due to clearing problems.

The CMD further alleged that the delay in the release of the medical equipment might reduce their value.

Nan