The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has reassured law-abiding stakeholders in possession of its approvals on the right of way of adequate protection to secure their projects and investments.
Dr George Moghalu, Managing Director, NIWA, disclosed this in a statement in Lagos on Monday.
Moghalu was quoted as saying the protection is against unbridled harassment from parties not known to law.
He insisted that the announcement became necessary in order to put issues of Right of Way in proper perspective.
The managing director, said that in a 2014 judgement, captured in suit CA/L/886/2014- Lagos Waterways Authority and 3 ORS V INC Trustees of Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria and 5 ORS, vested the right of all waterways in Nigeria and shorelines to NIWA.
He, therefore, warned all trespassers to be well guided and be circumspect or face the wrath of the federal government.
“We at NIWA hereby reassure our clients and stakeholders of the protection of their investment and workforce.
“We shall within the laws and constitutional provisions, ensure that we keep trespassers out of our Right of Way.
“Where necessary, we will deploy the Federal might to bring the oppositions to adhere to do right things and to stop further intimidation of federal government licensed stakeholders,” Moghalu said.
Throwing more light on the Court of Appeal judgement, he quoted the judges of the Court of Appeal who stated in the iconic judgement without any ambiguity that Lagos Lagoon and lekki lagoons are exclusively within the control of NIWA.
He assured that any activities within Inland Waterways, disturbed by any state agencies and illegal bodies within NIWA Right Way, would enjoy NIWA protection services.
The managing director said that it was intrusive that people bear in mind that the law as it stands today, and encapsulated in the court of appeal judgement, states clearly the areas of competence of both governments — Federal and State.
“Item 5 in the second schedule to the National Inland Waterways Act is the relevant provision for the navigable route that falls under the exclusive legislative list and it provides thus:
“The intra-coastal route from Badagry, along the Badagry Creek to Lagos through Lagos Lagoon to Epe, Lekki Lagoon to Iwopin along Omu/Creek Talifa Lively to Ajilete , Akata, Aboko, Arogbo, Ofunama Benin Creek to Warri.
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“Also the canal running from Araromi through Aiyetoro, Imelumo to Benin River and from Aiyetoro through Mahin Lagoon to Igbokoda.
“These routes run through International and states boundaries and is therefore consistent being an item on the exclusive legislative list. Revenue accruable from this Federal Route is payable to the Federal Waterways Authority,” he said.
Moghalu noted that the court emphasised that all other inland waterways within Lagos State are within the legislative competence of the Lagos State House of Assembly and any revenue accruable therefrom is payable to the Lagos State Waterways Authority.
“Let it be known that NIWA Lagos Office has maintained a clear vision of its mandate and had given all stakeholders the opportunity and enabling environment to join in the campaign to promote sanity and rule of law on Lagos Waterways and its shorelines management,” he said.
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