…Asks Lagos State Not To Fan Embers Of Unconstitutionality To Control Inland Waterways
Transportation Minister, Honourable Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has stated that there was no law or judicial pronouncement in the Nigeria which empowers the Lagos State Government to regulate and control inland waterways in the country but that the constitution domiciled this in the Ministry of Transportation and that of Mines.
He said this while clearing the air on the controversy between Lagos State Government and National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on who has the right to regulate inland waterways affairs in Nigeria.
According to him, “There is no law or judicial pronouncement anywhere that gave inland waterways regulation and control to Lagos and that it is the status of constitutional provisions that domiciled these areas in Ministry of Transportation and that of Mines.”
The Minister who had kept mute since the raging controversy between Lagos State government and NIWA broke out recently, told industry stakeholders during the celebration of the World Maritime Day in Lagos yesterday that Lagos has nothing to jubilate about on a recent appeal court judgment over the issue.
He noted that the decision of the Appeal Court did not give Lagos the relief to control inland waterways in the state.
Amaechi, who was the former Governor of Rivers State and a two-term Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, explained the Federal Government position on the issue during a open discussion of a paper on “Inland Waterways Operations and Logistics” by Capt. Olugbenga Abidoye and urged Lagos State government to obey the laws of Nigeria.
In twist of high drama laced with facts of law and constitutionality, Amaechi reminded his listeners that Lagos State Government should seek new frontiers on brown water economy through effective recognition of Nigerian laws and not to fan the embers of unconstitutionality in the quest to control inland waterways.
Stakeholders at the event rose and applauded Amaechi for his open support to the constitution of Nigeria which empowers NIWA to control inland waterways in Nigeria.
