The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on
Thursday said that it would sanction dredging operators in Lagos State who did
not comply with its rules and regulations.
Thursday said that it would sanction dredging operators in Lagos State who did
not comply with its rules and regulations.
Mr Muazu Sambo, the NIWA Lagos Area Manager told the
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the authority would no longer
tolerate non-compliance by operators with dredging rules.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the authority would no longer
tolerate non-compliance by operators with dredging rules.
Sambo reiterated that it had become compulsory and
mandatory for dredging operators to comply with all the rules and regulations
of the authority.
mandatory for dredging operators to comply with all the rules and regulations
of the authority.
“The authority will no longer tolerate
non-compliance with rules and regulations by dredging operators and any
operators found violating government rules will be sanctioned.
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 added.
bring about effective operations on the waterways, “he added.
He listed some of the rules and regulations that
operators should comply with as: registering with NIWA, conducting
environmental research before operations and possessing a statutory
certificate.
operators should comply with as: registering with NIWA, conducting
environmental research before operations and possessing a statutory
certificate.
The NIWA official said that other rules included
conducting proper survey, possessing work permit and consulting with
professionals.
conducting proper survey, possessing work permit and consulting with
professionals.
He said that the rules were necessary so that the
government could keep record of legal operators in the state and their
activities.
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.
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.
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.
incidence of multiple taxation affecting the operators, stressing that,
according to legislation, NIWA was the only body licensed to collect tax from
operators.
“NIWA remains the agency in control of operations on
the nation’s waterways.
the nation’s waterways.
“The management will be proactive in providing
lasting solutions to the problem of multiple taxes bedeviling operators on the
waterways, “he added.
lasting solutions to the problem of multiple taxes bedeviling operators on the
waterways, “he added.
The NIWA manager said that 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.
collaborate with the auditor-general of the federation, Federal Ministry of
Justice and Nigeria Police to tackle the issue of multiple taxes.
Sambo said that the authority would also put in
place adequate measures to ensure effective and efficient operations on the
waterways.
place adequate measures to ensure effective and efficient operations on the
waterways.
