The National Inland Waterways Agency (NIWA) on Sunday alleged that the multiple taxation and other sundry allegations by sand miners in the state were handworks of mischief makers targeted at smearing the image of the Agency’s Managing Director, Chief George Moghalu.
The General Manager, Corporate Affairs of the Agency, Jibril Darda’u who stated this in a chat with newsmen in Onitsha, insisted that the on-going reforms under the leadership of Moghalu would continue despite the accusations.
The Incorporated Trustees Board of Sand Miners in the state had during a protest in the commercial city, accused the Agency of Court order violation, multiple taxation, right of way, access fee and vandalization.
But the NIWA’s General Manager refuted the allegations, describing them as mere distractions targeted at smearing the image of the Managing Director, who, since assumption, had introduced series of reforms to restore sanity in the system.
He maintained that the Agency’s activities were covered by the Act guiding it, adding that it would not join issues with the sand miners since the matter was still in court.
He said, “NIWA under Moghalu is law abiding and would not go contrary to the Act guiding it. The issue is not about Moghalu but NIWA’s laws which has been in existence before Moghalu came on board and will continue even after him.
“Those using those Incorporated bodies of the so-called miners that have nothing to do with NIWA to blackmail Moghalu won’t succeed. His commitment to right the wrongs in the Agency is unparalleled and won’t be distracted.
“Moghalu, had, since assumption of office insisted that NIWA won’t tolerate incessant boat mishap due to negligence of boat operators and non adherence to safety compliance, including wearing of life jackets and overloading.
“He vowed to sanction defaulters of landwaterways safety guidelines. The agency as a regulatory body can’t just fold its arms and watch reckless boat operators jeopardizing the lives of Nigerians.
“He recently commissioned 36-seater ferry boat at Yelwa-Yauri in Kebbi State. He had a stakeholders’ meeting with boat operators in Lagos two weeks ago targeted at addressing boat mishap.
“Besides, he has clearly stated that the issue of revenue collection would no longer be business as usual. What is due for government must go for it. As a law abiding citizen, he insists that NIWA laws must be strictly adhered to.
“It’s been the complain of our MD that NIWA is being unde-reported. To ensure the public knows about our activities, Moghalu as a media friendly person has brought media closely than what we’ve experiencing before.”
Also speaking, Technical Adviser to the Agency’s helmsman, Engr. Osita Anazodo regretted various forms of bastardization of the waterways, insisting that operators must function within the ambit of the law.
He said, “NIWA has the mandate to regulate activities on the waterways in addition to our right of way which is 100 meters perpendicular from the point of the river.
“Both sides of Waterways are no longer good to behold. There are lots of bastardization. Moghalu is determined to restore sanity on our waterways starting with operation.
“Another reform the agency is bringing on board is to ensure that containers begin to arrive at the Onitsha River Ports in no distant time.”
