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| CAC Apapa Area 1, Comptroller Eporwei Edike |
The controversy
over the alleged seizure of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) kits
consignment by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) was on Tuesday resolved by
both organisations.
over the alleged seizure of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) kits
consignment by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) was on Tuesday resolved by
both organisations.
The News Agency
of Nigeria (NAN) reports that media reports had it last week that the NCS,
Apapa Area 1 Command, allegedly seized the national teams’ kits.
But the NCS on
Tuesday said that the NFF never declared any consignment at the port until Oct.
13 when its delegation visited the command.
Tuesday said that the NFF never declared any consignment at the port until Oct.
13 when its delegation visited the command.
The command’s
Controller, Mr Eporwei Edike, made the assertion at a meeting with officials of
the NFF over the controversial seizure allegation.
Controller, Mr Eporwei Edike, made the assertion at a meeting with officials of
the NFF over the controversial seizure allegation.
NAN reports that
the command had thrown a challenge to the sport body to prove the allegation
but it could not.
the command had thrown a challenge to the sport body to prove the allegation
but it could not.
A NAN
Correspondent who was at the meeting between both bodies at Apapa on Tuesday
reports that as at the time of the meeting, the NFF had not made any formal
documentation for processing of cargo clearance.
Correspondent who was at the meeting between both bodies at Apapa on Tuesday
reports that as at the time of the meeting, the NFF had not made any formal
documentation for processing of cargo clearance.
NAN also reports
that the NFF delegation comprised Mr Buba Danjuma, an official of the Nigerian
Shippers’ Council, Mr Tajudeen Tiamiyu, Head of Store of the NFF and Dr
Christian Emeruwa, the Senior Assistant to the NFF General Secretary.
that the NFF delegation comprised Mr Buba Danjuma, an official of the Nigerian
Shippers’ Council, Mr Tajudeen Tiamiyu, Head of Store of the NFF and Dr
Christian Emeruwa, the Senior Assistant to the NFF General Secretary.
Emeruwa told the
controller that the NFF was not aware that the consignment arrived at the Apapa
port because it had never received consignments through sea shipment.
controller that the NFF was not aware that the consignment arrived at the Apapa
port because it had never received consignments through sea shipment.
He said it was
only after it confirmed from the management of Nike, a sports gear brand, that
it knew the cargo was sent to Apapa.
only after it confirmed from the management of Nike, a sports gear brand, that
it knew the cargo was sent to Apapa.
Emeruwa, however,
said the NFF did not know how to go about processing the clearance of the
goods.
said the NFF did not know how to go about processing the clearance of the
goods.
He said that as
at the time of the meeting, the body did not have an agent to help with the
clearance of the consignment.
at the time of the meeting, the body did not have an agent to help with the
clearance of the consignment.
He denied the
reports in some media that the consignment was seized by the command.
reports in some media that the consignment was seized by the command.
“We do not know
where that report came from because nobody granted such information to the
media.
where that report came from because nobody granted such information to the
media.
“Our press
statements are usually on our site and as we speak, nothing of such is there,’’
he said.
statements are usually on our site and as we speak, nothing of such is there,’’
he said.
Edike said that
since the position had been clarified that customs did not seize NFF’s football
teams’ kits consignment, the command would assist to fast-track the release of
the goods.
since the position had been clarified that customs did not seize NFF’s football
teams’ kits consignment, the command would assist to fast-track the release of
the goods.
“We will assist
the NFF with the conditional release so that the teams can have their kits
quickly.
the NFF with the conditional release so that the teams can have their kits
quickly.
“But that will
require the NFF to immediately raise a form `M’ and submit it with an evidence
of the Bill Lading from the shipping company.
require the NFF to immediately raise a form `M’ and submit it with an evidence
of the Bill Lading from the shipping company.
“With this, a
conditional release will be granted after payment at the bank pending when they
come and perfect the process.
conditional release will be granted after payment at the bank pending when they
come and perfect the process.
“We know the
importance of football as something every Nigerian enjoys, so, we will gladly
assist the NFF to complete the process immediately,’’ Edike said.
importance of football as something every Nigerian enjoys, so, we will gladly
assist the NFF to complete the process immediately,’’ Edike said.
He explained that
the customs procedure for clearing cargo is on the Pre-Arrival Assessment
Report (PAAR) which required processing before arrival of the cargo and not
after its arrival.
the customs procedure for clearing cargo is on the Pre-Arrival Assessment
Report (PAAR) which required processing before arrival of the cargo and not
after its arrival.
He restated that
the command did not tolerate delays of procedure handling by officers and that remains a mark of operation of the command.
the command did not tolerate delays of procedure handling by officers and that remains a mark of operation of the command.
