In response to recent claims of extortion and interference involving the son of the Marine and Blue Economy Minister, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola purportedly circulating within the Ministry, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has denied the allegations.
The allegations were brought to light in a report by an online publication, stirring disquiet within the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
In a Press Statement issued and signed by NIWA General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Jibril Darda’u which was made available to our correspondent, the agency refuted the claims, denouncing them as false, misleading, and baseless stressing the need to prevent the public from being misled by what NIWA deemed as an unfounded story disseminated by the online news outlet.
Darda’u clarified that neither the Managing Director/CEO nor any other official within NIWA had issued any instructions, direct or indirect, to favor individuals in the execution of their duties.
Emphasizing their commitment to fairness and justice, NIWA assured the public of its impartial treatment of all Nigerians in the discharge of its duties as an agency under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Furthermore, NIWA affirmed its dedication to upholding the principles of fairness and justice in all official endeavors. The organization asserted its determination to remain focused on delivering effective services to the Nigerian public, without being swayed or distracted by unfounded allegations.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Management of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has been drawn to a report by an online publication arewareporters.ng with the above subject matter on the imaginary extortion and interference at the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
“This reply is necessary in order to put the records straight and to excuse the unsuspecting public from being misled by the unfounded story disseminated by the news outlet.
“The Authority would like to categorically state that the report is fake, misleading, and unfounded. The MD/CEO had at no time instructed, either directly or indirectly, any officer of the agency to favour anyone in the cause of discharging his or her lawful duties.
“Consequently, the Authority wishes to reassure the general public of its unbiased treatment to every Nigerian in the cause of discharging its roles as an agency under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
“NIWA, as an agency of government, at all times, remains resolute to uphold the tenets of fairness and justice in discharging its official responsibilities and would therefore not be dragged into any issue capable of distracting it from its resolve to provide effective services to the Nigerian public” the statement concluded.
