We’ll not allow rickety boats on Nigeria waterways – NIWA

National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has vowed to stop rickety boats from operating on waterways in the country.

This is in an effort to safeguard the lives and properties of people doing businesses and plying water routs.

The Managing Director of NIWA, Dr George Moghalo made this known during National Inland Waterways Authority’s Stakeholders meeting in Eket, Akwa Ibom state on Tuesday.

Moghalo said that the agency would commence issuance of licenses to boats and vessels operators, so as to regulate the operations of boats and other business activities on the waterways.

The managing director maintained that the regulatory agency would not engage in double taxation to enable private individuals doing business on waterways to thrive and to relief the Federal Government the burden of unemployment.

Moghalo stated that NIWA, being the agency of the Federal Government, was partnering with Navy to make sure that waterways were safe and free from pirates and other criminals toeing the sea.

Speaking on the need to provide more  security on waterways, he said Inspector General of Police, Mr Mahammed Adamu has promised to release more police personnel to NIWA to beef up security on waterways.

“Safety is a major concern and the Nigeria Navy has been very cooperative in providing safety on our waterways in addressing the issue of piracy.

“The IG of police, in his magnanimity has promised to release additional police personnel to increase security at NIWA.
Culled from blueprint.ng