NFF in total darkness over lack of fund

NFF Secretariat

This is definitely not the best of time for the staff of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, as they work in an unconducive environment.

For the past two weeks, the Glass House as the NFF secretariat is popularly known has been under total darkness because of lack of funds.

We gathered that there is no money to electricity units (pre-paid) let alone money for diesel to power the generators.

Investigation also revealed that a top officer of the NFF mostly tell staff to contribute money to buy electricity units. Each staff was meant to cough out N3,000 each hence some of them are always staying away from office.

Due to this condition, light is being rationed, for instance, they give two floors while they switch off the other floor; and because of this, some appliances such as air-conditioners, electric kettles, etc are not allowed to be used including bulbs hence windows are thrown open.

Our correspondent came across a staff who went to the neighbouring outfit, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC to boil water for him to prepare tea. As if that was not enough, some of the staff are in the habit of asking for financial assistance. This is coming when the NFF just signed mind-blowing sponsorship deals.

When we contacted the general secretary, Sanusi Mohammed on telephone, he denied that he is not aware of such complaints. He however stated, “Who told you, ask the person, there is nothing like that.”

NFF President, Amaju

A staff who confided in our correspondent said things have been difficult for the NFF ever since the Treasury Single Account, TSA was introduced. According to him, before now, we don’t experience all these things until they brought the TSA. Imagine, we don’t have money to even buy light units for our pre-paid meter not to talk of diesel for generator.

“We understand that if they apply for money, before it gets to them, it takes a very long time and that is why we are having all these challenges,” she concluded.

This definitely is not good for an organisation that makes huge sum of money from sponsors, Confederation of African Football, CAF, Federation of International Football Association, FIFA and others but all the monies we gathered go into the TSA.

A sport commentator said, if case is not taken, the TSA might jeopardise the efforts of the football house because of the delay in releasing funds. Recall that coaches and players earlier threatened to downtool in the past because of the bonuses and allowances they were being owed.