The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has revealed that the Lagos State Government is planning to concession boat operations on waters surrounding the State and also put existing operators out of job.
Speaking at a recent stakeholders meeting in Lagos, the Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Muazu Sambo alleged that Lagos State Government has concluded plans to import state-of-the art boats in order to phase out old ones.
He however vowed that NIWA would resist the move, even as he alleged that the state government was trying to take advantage of the recent court judgment to exploit the people.
He appealed to water transporters to address the standard of their boats so as not to allow government use this as an excuse.
Addressing the stakeholders, he said, "I have bad news for you, they have concluded plans to bring in water boats and chase you out of the water, you had better be ready"
"They think that these boats that you are using are coffins and that is how they described it. They want to replicate on the water what they did on the roads, they phased out 'molue' and 'danfo' in major parts of Lagos. They have concluded plans to bring in their boats"
"NIWA has nothing to lose if this is done, the only thing NIWA would lose is the prestige and honour, if I, Sambo would sign a permit on behalf of the authority by virtue of the mandate of NIWA, I would use my blood to defend that signature"
"As operators, come together and ensure you operate and be conscious of the health and safety of the environment ensure you follow the dredging regulations"
Sambo noted that water transportation is an expensive business, and that the engines are expensive and usually imported. He said that Nigeria does not manufacture any engines and this has been a major challenge for the water transporters.
"On safety, please ensure that before you board your boats, you have a functional live jacket on them right from the jetty before your passengers board", he said.
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