NIWA, LASG to resolve face-off over control of waterways

Steve Agbota

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and the Lagos State Government (LASG) have concluded plans to work together to ensure a peaceful resolution of the lingering face-off over who controls the waterways in the state.

This is even as Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has directed all Heads of agencies concerned to begin discussions with NIWA.

Speaking recently when he paid a courtesy visit on the governor, the Managing Director of NIWA, Sen. Olorunibe Mamora, said the need to avoid multiple taxation for waterways users brought about the courtesy visit.

He added: “The first thing is to thank Mr. Governor for receiving us and then listening to us. I always tell everyone who cares to listen that we are not here for ourselves. We are here for the people and that is the whole essence of governance.

“We want operators to ply their trade without hindrance. We want to protect the interest of the waterways users and the interest of the operators, and by so doing, we want to ensure they are not unduly subjected to multiple taxation or multiple levies. That is why there has to be this synergy, understanding and this collaboration so that in the area of possible conflicts, it will be easily managed without escalations of such conflicts.”

According to him; “We want to be sure there is safer water transportation. We want to be sure that waterways users comply with what we call waterways transportation code, whether in terms of avoiding overloading, use of lifejacket, night navigation, and avoiding over speeding. These are some of the things.