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Tag: NIWA

  • Firm sues govt over directive to NPA, NIMASA, NIWA on funds

    Firm sues govt over directive to NPA, NIMASA, NIWA on funds

    A sHipping firm has launched a legal battle against the Federal Government over its directive to some maritime agencies to pay their money into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

    Elshcon Nigeria Limited is contending that the directive to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) negates their enabling laws. Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala directed NPA, NIMASA and NIWA, among other agencies, to close their accounts and transfer them into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) before the end of last month.

    Elshcon’s counsel Mike Igbokwe (SAN) said the directive should have excluded NPA, NIMASA, and NIWA – in line with their enabling laws.

    In a suit filed before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos, last week, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Minister of Finance are named as defendants.

    After filing the suit, it was gathered, Igbokwe wrote to NIMASA, NPA and NIWA, not to take any action in furtherance of the directives pending the determination of the case.

    Igbokwe told The Nation that he wrote the agencies in order not to stifle the court from exercising its jurisdiction on the pending case before its determination.

    “The essence of the letter is to draw the attention of the agencies to some of the relevant judgments of the Supreme Court showing the attitude of courts in such circumstances as this and as they relate to persons that are ‘servants and agents’ of the parties to the suit that may knowingly assist the parties in stultifying the exercise of the court’s jurisdiction on the matter because as sought in the motion and originating summons, the substance of the matter is that the defendants are to be restrained in whatever method they may use in committing the prohibited acts.

    “It is also to ensure that the rule of law prevails, abuse of court process is avoided and the court is not presented with a fait accompli by any of the defendants or its agents or servants since the agencies have become aware of the reliefs on the motion on notice and originating summons filed by our client and that they are not just pending, but a date has been fixed for the hearing of the said Motion,” he said.

    Igbokwe added: “The Supreme Court held that any action or conduct of one or the other of the parties to the action taken whilst an application is pending in court for the obvious or subtle purpose of stultifying the exercise by the court of its jurisdiction and its duty to consider the application on its merits, must not be countenanced by the court and the court would ensure that at the stage of the proceedings, it is not possible for any party to present it with a fait accompli.

    “The same court also held that the court still has jurisdiction to commit any person, whether as a servant or agent of the party restrained or even a stranger, who knowingly assists in the breach of the injunction of the defendants.”

    Igbokwe said the plaintiff has applied ex parte for an order restraining the 1st Defendant either or his agents from implementing the directives pending the determination of the case.

    The plaintiff, it was learnt, is seeking six reliefs, including an order that the defendants should stop forthwith, the implementation of the directives.

    The court has directed the plaintiff to serve the defendants the motion for interlocutory injunction and originating summons. It also granted accelerated hearing of the case which comes up on  Thursday.

  • NIWA to build more jetties in Lagos

    The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is constructing more jetties to boost water transportation in Lagos.

    The Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Mu’azu Sambo, said the jetties would be built on Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.

    He said the jetties will help in providing infrastructure for water transportation.

    “NIWA has close to seven jetties in Lagos, owned by NIWA, built by NIWA, managed by NIWA, for the purpose of aiding our water transportation.

    “Remember that jetties are like airports. Jetties are to water transport what airports are to air transport; and therefore, they are the most critical in terms of infrastructure.

    “There is a large volume of passengers moving between Maroko and Ikorodu; people who come from Ikorodu to Lagos to work.

    “There is also movement between Ikorodu and CMS. So, these jetties are helping in providing the infrastructure for water transportation in Lagos.

    “That is not to say, however, that we do not require more jetties, we do.

    “Now, because of the limited resources of government, what we have adopted is the policy of PPP, for infrastructure development and enhancement,” he said.

    Sambo said that the agency presently had about 126 jetties, and described them as massive, even in terms of costs of maintenance.

    He said greater priority would be given to areas like Liverpool and Coconut in Lagos, among others, in the construction of the new jetties, while the CMS jetty would be given a face-lift.

  • NIWA to penalise dredging operators violating the rules

    The management of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has threatened to penalise any dredging operator in Lagos State who fails to comply with its rules and regulations.

    NIWA’s Lagos Area Manager,  Muazu Sambo, told The Nation that the agency will not allow dredging firms to violate the stipulated rules.

    Sambo listed some of the rules and regulations that operators need to follow as: Registering with the agency, conducting Environmental Impact Assessment  before operations and possessing a statutory certificate.

    The Area Manager said the other rules include conducting proper survey, possessing work permit and consulting with professionals, adding that it is necessary and compulsory for dredging operators to comply with all the rules and regulations of NIWA while carrying out their dredging activities.

    “NIWA will no longer tolerate non-compliance with rules and regulations by dredging operators, and any operators found violating government rules will be sanctioned.

    “Compliance with our rules and regulations will bring about effective operations on the waterways,“ he said, arguing that the rules are necessary so that government could keep record of legal operators in the state and their activities.

    “The laws are to ensure that operators are doing the right thing on the waterways. The safety of operators matter to the government, therefore, rules and regulations need to be applied to ensure effective and smooth operations on the waterways, “ he said.

    Sambo said that the authority would address the incidence of multiple taxation affecting the operators, stressing that, according to legislation, NIWA was the only body licensed to collect tax from operators.

    He said the authority would collaborate with the Auditor-General of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Justice and Nigeria Police to tackle the issue of multiple taxes.

  • Boat operators decry multiple charges

    The Federal Government has been urged to build more Jetties to boost water transportation in Lagos State, to address the problem of multiple charges facing boat operators in the state.

    The President, Association of Tour Boat Operators and Water Transport of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) Tarzan Balogun, said the federal, states, local governments and the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) officials collect different dues from their members, urging that  government should harmonise the fees.

    He lamented that insufficient jetties and boat stations have impeded water transportation in the state.

    “A jetty is a point where boat operators assemble to convey passengers to their various destinations; it is also an arrival and departure point.

    “Some people in Lagos prefer to use water transportation as an alternative to road transport because of the traffic challenges on the roads.

    “But, the challenge we are facing is the issue of jetty. We do not have enough jetties that we can operate from,’’ Balogun said.

    He listed places like Badagry; Amuwo Odofin; Epe; Ikorodu; Makoko; Lagos Island; Ajah; Takwa Bay and Apapa, as locations where the jetties could be sited for easy movement of people within the state.

    Although, he said there are some functional jetties in some of the areas mentioned, many of them, he pointed out are in a deplorable  state and needed to be upgraded.

    “The few jetties around Lagos State are not enough to convey passengers on the waterways. The water transportation users are far more than the jetties we have now.

    “There are some areas in Lagos that need the service of boat operators, but the lack of jetties in such environment have denied them our services,” he said.

    He said the issue of multiple charges needs to be addressed by the government because it impedes their business.

    “The Federal Government agencies collect their charges, Lagos State government collects tax, the local governments collect their own dues too.

    “Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) collect their own charges as well, all these multiple charges kill the industry and can frustrate operators out of business,’’he said.

  • Boat operators decry multiple charges

    Boat operators decry multiple charges

    The Federal Government has been urged to build more Jetties to boost water transportation in Lagos State, to address the problem of multiple charges facing boat operators in the state.

    The President, Association of Tour Boat Operators and Water Transport of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) Tarzan Balogun, said the federal, states, local governments and the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) officials collect different dues from their members, urging that  government should harmonise the fees.

    He lamented that insufficient jetties and boat stations have impeded water transportation in the state.

    “A jetty is a point where boat operators assemble to convey passengers to their various destinations; it is also an arrival and departure point.

    “Some people in Lagos prefer to use water transportation as an alternative to road transport because of the traffic challenges on the roads.

    “But, the challenge we are facing is the issue of jetty. We do not have enough jetties that we can operate from,’’ Balogun said.

    He listed places like Badagry; Amuwo Odofin; Epe; Ikorodu; Makoko; Lagos Island; Ajah; Takwa Bay and Apapa, as locations where the jetties could be sited for easy movement of people within the state.

    Although, he said there are some functional jetties in some of the areas mentioned, many of them, he pointed out are in a deplorable  state and needed to be upgraded.

    “The few jetties around Lagos State are not enough to convey passengers on the waterways. The water transportation users are far more than the jetties we have now.

    “There are some areas in Lagos that need the service of boat operators, but the lack of jetties in such environment have denied them our services,” he said.

    He said the issue of multiple charges needs to be addressed by the government because it impedes their business.

    “The Federal Government agencies collect their charges, Lagos State government collects tax, the local governments collect their own dues too.

    “Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) collect their own charges as well, all these multiple charges kill the industry and can frustrate operators out of business,’’he said.

  • NIWA makes case for water transport business

    How viable is sea transport? The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) believes that this is highly lucrative.

    It takes the initiative to convince the Federal Government on the importance of sea transport and to gear investors interest in the business, it was learnt.

    At a meeting in Abuja,  NIWA’s Managing Director Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma, it was learnt, told Transport Minister that the development of the Inland waterways would ensure rapid transformation of the economy. The economy will also become globally competitive and create jobs in the hinterland, which had hitherto been neglected.

    Mrs Ciroma impressed it on the minister that an efficient coastal and inland water system would relieve pressure on the road, adding that the waterways can be used like the rail to transport bulk goods over long distances at low rates.

    She said water transportation is the cheapest mode of transport compared with road, rail and air, adding that it would serve as a means of economic development and an instrument of national integration.

    The NIWA chief argued that the country is blessed with good climate with expansive a land and rivers suitable for movement of people and cargo.

  • Jonathan pledges to invest N7tr in inland waterways

    The Federal Government will invest N7,405 trillion in inland waterways under its transformation agenda to address infrastructure deficit and boost the economy, President Goodluck Jonathan has said.

    Speaking at the first international conference and exhibition organised by the National Inland Waterways Authority ( NIWA) in Lagos,  President Jonathan, represented by the Minister of Transpot Senator Idris Umar, said infrastructural challenges, were retarding the growth and development of the economy.

    The President said his administration has approved  N25 billion for the dredging of River Benue.

    The theme of the conference was: “Modernising Inland Water Infrastructure and Vessels for Safe and Sustainable Inland Waterways Transportation in Nigeria.”

    The Federal Government, the President said, has therefore, created the appropriate legal and institutional framework that will promote Private-Public Partnership ( PPP) to accelerate the necessary development in the inland waterways.

    “My administration has continue to support the development of the inland waterways because transportation is the bedrock of the economy of any nation.

    “In addition to our present efforts, government has plans to invest an estimated N7.405trillion for the inland waterways sub-sector before 2020 to address the infrastructure deficit.

    “There is a great need to attend to the infrastructural deficit that has greatly constraint economic growth and development in the country,” the President said.

    President Jonathan also assured the foreign and local investors at the gathering that the transport sector Is a major area of concern in his transformation agenda and urged them to invest heavily in the sector.

    He directed the management of NIWA to consider the use of PPP to increase their funding capacity.

    Private sector investment in the inland waterways, President Jonathan said, is necessary for quick transformation of the sector.

    “To stimulate economic growth through our inland waterways, my administration has put in place necessary machinery to dredge River Benue.

    “The government has no doubt that the vision which informed huge investment made on the inland waterways sub-sector will encourage private sector participation which will lead to a rewarding return on investment.

    “River ports located at Baro in Niger State, Oguta in Imo State and Lokoja in Kogi State are also being constructed with several jetties across the country. All the River ports will be concessioned to private sector upon completion.”

    President Jonathan also disclosed that his administration has procured patrol boats to provide security within the inland waterways. He said government was vigorously pursuing the delivery of intra-coastal system to reduce pressure on the nation’s road transport network.

    NIWA’s Managing Directo Hajiya Inna Maryam  Ciroma said the conference was organised to bring together stakeholders and intellectuals in the sub- sector to brainstorm and provide a roadmap for repositioning and improving activities on the nation’s inland waters.

    The NIWA boss said the Federal Government approved the rehabilitation of the ab

    andoned Onitsha River port so that it would be put in proper and effective use.

    She stated further that the objective of the conference was to ensure maximum utilisation of the dredged River Niger.

    “For maximum utilisation of the dredged River Niger, the authority thought it wise to bring together various stakeholders in the inland waterways sub-sector in a gathering like this for dialogue and exchange of ideas as to the sustainability, safety and utilisation of our inland waterways including the tourism potentials for the growth and development of our economy.

    “For the dredged River Niger to be put into effective use, the Federal Government approved the rehabilitation of the abandoned Onitsha River Port which is being put up for concessioning by Messrs Green Stratos of India under the supervision of ICRC,” she said

  • NIWA holds conference in Uyo

    The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is organising a two day National Conference on the Inland Waterways Transportation Code from tomorrow to Thursday, at Le’ Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

    The conference, NIWA said,  is to fashion out a new Inland Waterways Transportation Code that will provide navigational regulations and guidelines as it relates to safety and other sundry matters on our inland waterways.

    The conference, it was learnt, will provide recommendations that will enable Nigeria to domesticate the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Conventions and Protocols as it affects navigational regulations on inland waterways and allows the country to qualify meet the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) guidelines on safety and therefore, conform with the Global Best Practices.

    Alkwa State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio is the Special Guest of Honour while the  Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar will deliver the keynote address. The Managing Director of NIWA, Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma, is the Chief Host.

    All the stakeholders, including the Commissioners of Transport and FCT are expected stakeholders at the Conference.

  • NIWA begins survey on wrecks’ removal

    The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has embarked on a survey of all wrecks and derelicts posing risks to safe navigation, its Managing Director, Hajiya Mariam Ciroma, has said.

    The survey, she said, became necessary to know where wrecks are located to effect their removal, adding that NIWA is working with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on how to establish and enforce a new inland waterways code on the inland waters.

    She said a stakeholders’ meeting was in the offing to craft a water transport code that would be similar to the one being used by road operators.

    “For us to know where the wrecks and derelicts are, we need to carry out a survey. We have commenced the survey of all the wrecks and derelicts on the river and inland waters to know where they are located so that we can remove them.

    “Apart from this, we are planning to have a sensitisation talk with loggers because they sometimes work at the back of the river and they drop these logs there, thereby polluting the river, this causes a lot of problems for boat users. So, we intend to carry out a sensitisation programme for the loggers and other business enterprises that contribute to polluting our rivers,” she said.

    While stressing the need to adopt the international code for water transport users, the NIWA boss said the agency is contacting state governments, the road safety agency, Nigerian Police, Air force and all agencies that have to do with transportation for them to participate in the meeting.

    “We are also contacting the IMO on this, because there is no need to have a regulation that you cannot enforce,” she said.

    She said the agency is distributing at least 500 life jackets at each location it has so far visited, sensitising Nigerians on how to use them, as well as the importance of the life jackets.

  • Fed Govt invests N50b in water transportation

    Fed Govt invests N50b in water transportation

    The Federal Government has invested about N50 billion in inland waterways to ensure its efficiency, the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA),  Hajiya Maryam Ciroma, has said.

    The investment, she said in Lagos, is to modernise the sector and boost the economy.

    Nigeria’s natural endowment in inland waterways is about 10,000 kilometres, which if developed through dredging and provision of auxiliary facilities will provide all-year round navigation for the transportation of bulk cargo and passengers.

    The Federal Government, it was learnt, invested the amount to promote the movement of goods and persons through the waterways.

    Over N36 billion of the amount, it was gathered, was spent on the dredging of River Niger to attract local and foreign investors in shipping and promote carriage of inland cargoes through the water.

    Also, it was gathered that an additional N13 billion was spent on the construction of jetties and other ports along the coast line to ease cargo movement and remove pressure on the roads. In addition, N700 million was spent on  machines to eradicate water hyacinths for safe navigation.

    Mrs Ciroma said the Federal Government injected the amount to open up the waterways to local and foreign investors and provide jobs for the youth.

    NIWA, she said, is poised to transform inland waterways infrastructure in line with the Federal Government’s vision towards creating a modern competitive multi-modal inland water transport system, offering services that are consistent with global best practices.

    She said in addition to the dredging of the river, the government was also planning to concession the Onitsha River port in Anambra State to promote trade and commerce, adding that Nigeria is blessed with a large network of inland waters and that government is set to promote inland water transportation because it is the cheapest means of transporting goods.

    According to her, during the colonial ere, there were barges that moved cargoes from Warri in Delta State to Baro, in Niger State, saying the government is determined to revive the system.

    “The nation’s inland water transport system is grossly underutilised and as we tap into it, it will reduce the pressure on the existing roads as many goods being transported by road will pass through the water,” she said.

    The NIWA boss also mentioned that the lower river Niger has been dredged by 2.5 metres to allow cargo and passenger vessels and badges to navigate the water even when the tide is low.

    The dredging of the lower river Niger, she said, covered a total of 500 kilometres from Gwari to Baro area of the Niger, adding that the government has created enabling environment for the private investor to invest and help to develop the water transport sector. She said NIWA  has been given the nod to open up the waterways for a proper transportation system.

    In this respect, she said NIWA is planning to hold a three-day international conference to complement the government’s efforts on opening up the nation’s inland waterways, pointing out that government has removed clog militating against the development of water transportation.

    Hajiya Ciroma said the government is determined to develop a public transport system that would promote people’s safety and security, as well as create jobs for the youths and boost economic development.

    She said the banking sector is expected to play a prominent role at the proposed conference, adding that the agency will use the forum and the exhibition to showcase the huge investment made by the government to the world. She said the inland waters have numerous opportunities to be tapped by importers within and outside the country.

    “Nigeria cannot afford to be lagging behind in modernisation. We need to bring our developments to international standard, so it is important for us to organise the exhibition to know what is obtained internationally so that we too can bring such development to our country,” she said.