Stop Building on Waterways without Approval, NIWA Cries Out
The Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has sounded a note of warning to Nigerians who have been building on waterways without its approval.
Managing Director of the agency, George Moghalu, gave the warning when he undertook a tour to NIWA locations in the country.
Moghalu threatened to close down a hotel in Abuja which according to him infringed on Jabi lake waterways.
The agency has also threatened to shut down Nera hotel, Abuja for infringing on Jabi lake waterways.
During the tour, he promised to clear water hyacinth and debris on the late.
He also said that the agency would take advantage of the Jabi lake to build a tourist centre where it can generate revenue for the government.
He said such tourist centre will be where people can go for relaxation.
He explained that with the NIWA Act, 100 metres from the tip of water is the agency’s land.
“Like it is expected, some people are infringing on it, some people are even developing property on our rights of way without the approval of NIWA. I don’t know whether you saw me questioning the management of the hotel here (Nera) that the buildings are on the rights way of NIWA and demand notices have been sent and they keep ignoring it, and we threaten we are going to shut down place. Now they are now desirous of talking with us.
“So, we have a lot to do and not only here, across the country and you may wish to know Nigeria has 10,000 kilometres of waterways of which 3,000 and above is all year round navigable.
“We need to develop these waterways because we have a lot to gain as a nation. Apart from the support on the economy, the employment opportunities it is going to provide, decongesting our port. If most of the waterways are functional, open and viable, most of the loads of containers you have today causing the Apapa gridlock will become a thing of the past because those consignments can be moved by water to various places because through our waterways we can reach 28 states of the country.”
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