Authorities of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday disclosed that 3,000 metric tonnes out of the 6,779 metric tonnes of rice donated by the Chinese government to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East are yet to be cleared at Port.
Ezekezie Kaycee, NCS’ Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) disclosed this at the ongoing investigative public hearing into the alleged breach of public trust leveled against National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) held at the instance of the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management chaired by Ali Isa.
Kaycee who observed that 3,779 metric tonnes have been cleared by Customs leaving a balance of 3,000 metric tonnes, however stressed that the number does not mean that the entire consignments have left the port.
“Even from this number, only 1,250 has been cleared because this depends on the vessels it takes an average of 30 days to clear.
“From our records, three bills of laden have been cleared but this does not mean they have left the port. The NCS is only through with three bills,” she added.
According to the information provided at the public hearing, the first batch of the cleared relief materials are warehouses in Maiduguri and Yola.
While speaking on the role played by Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Samuel Iloma, Deputy Director confirmed the process of securing the delivery of the rice.
According to him, as the recipient of the donation, the Ministry processed the waiver certificates for the consignments that came in five batches.
“We thought with the collection of the waiver, NEMA will just go and distribute but we got to understand later that the clearance is much more than that
“That was why we approached a clearing form about what’s involve to do the clearing and it was then we were told its going to involve money to get the necessary documents,” he said.
In response to issues raised by members of the Committee, Mustapha Maihaja, NEMA Director General (DG), said no time was wasted to secure and and take delivery of the goods as directed by the government.
“As soon as we secured the neccesary documents, we liase with all relevant agencies concerned with clearing but we have to invoke Section 43(1b) of the Emergency Act because the good has stayed for six months in the port.
“Secondly, it was a tough decision to take considering the situation we found ourselves in. We have to consider the condition of the people of the region that is North-East, who are in danger of hunger and famine. We also have to consider the condition of the rice too.
“We are still in the process of procuring the rest of the materials, but we have taken possession of 110 containers and they are in two locations in Maiduguri and Yola.
“We had to follow that pattern to save the item and the people. There are still some in the port but all expenses are incurred by NEMA, though we have not paid on clearing but a little above N400 million have been paid on demurrage for the total consignment.
“With all sincerity of purpose, the problem is about the process which involved three agencies. The process should be looked at,” he urged the Committee.
To this end, the committee resolved to invite Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Finance and Udo Udoma, Minister of Budget and National Planning; Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture as well as Hameed Ali, NCS Comptroller General to explain their roles over the movement of the relief material.
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja
