Barely less than two days after the Lagos State Government heaved a sigh of relief over the judgment of the Appellate court returning jurisdiction of Inland waterways to Lagos State, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has approached the Supreme Court for reversal of the ruling.
Already, NIWA has directed operators to ignore the seven days ultimatum issued on Tuesday by the Lagos State Government.
Dropping the hint in Lagos, Area Manager of NIWA, Mr. Muazu Sambo said the Lagos State Government needs to clearly define their “intra-state water routes” as the Appeal Court Judgement only permits them to operate within.
He on behalf of NIWA, vowed to the boat operators and dredgers association that NIWA would not fold its hands and allow them to be exploited by the Lagos government.
Sambo further alleged that the sole aim of the Lagos government seeking control of the waters is based on selfish interest, especially to cede off portions of the shorelines in other to get money, noting that the establishment of the Lagos State Water Authority (LASWA) remains an illegal formation with sole aim of creating multiple taxation on water operators.
