Detained Ship Sails Off To UK

The container-laden ship, MV Marivia, detained for carrying two containers of e-wastes has been released and has sailed out of Nigerian waters to UK.

The Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr Ngeri Benebo, disclosed this with newsmen in a telephone interview recently.

She said that the ship owners had met the bail conditions given by the Federal High Court.

Benebo said that a bond was processed by the ship owners to the tune of 500,000 dollars.

She said that the agency was asked to verify the payment, which it did and consequently instructed that the ship be released to sail.

The Customs Public Relations Officer, Tin Can Island Command, Mr Chris Osunkwo,  also told The Tide  source that the ship had sailed off, having met the necessary conditions.

Reports say that consequently, the two containers of e-wastes were on their way back to the exporters in the UK. MV Marivia, charged with importation of harmful electronic wastes on January 9, 2013, was recently granted 500,000 dollars bail by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

The wastes comprised used televisions, computers, DVDs, microwaves, pressing irons and stereos.

The ship, which originated from Tilbury, UK was arrested on arrival at the Tin-Can Island Port Complex (TCIP), Lagos and charged along with a Nigerian, Rumok David, and a firm, Bonicks Investment.