LAGOS WATERWAYS: NIWA Threatens To Clampdown On Illegal Barge Operators
By Roland Ekama, Lagos
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on Friday,threatened to clampdown on erring and illicit barge operators over movement of cargoes on the inland waters of Lagos state.
NIWA also frowned at the modus operandi of members ,Barge Operators Association of Nigeria over issues bothering on safety movement of cargoes on waters within the state.
The waterways authority apparently worried about poor safety measures put in place by some illegal barge operators , threatened to sanctioned owners who failed to meet the safety requisite standards in water transportation.
Engineer Sarat Braimah ,NIWA ,Lagos State Area Manager who disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting held in Lagos, noted that three patrol boats would be deployed to monitor movement of barges laden with cargoes from the Lagos seaports to Ikorodu, Epe and other parts of the state.
Braimah disclosed that some barge owners failed to obtain NIWA permit to operate genuinely , pointing out that a seminar was held recently to reel out guidelines about those qualified to execute such businesses.
Harping on the location where the boats would be situated on the waterways to monitor movement of illegal barges, she maintained that officials of NIWA would be visible at Lagos Lagoon , Elegbeta Channel and Five Cowrie waterfronts.
”Officials of NIWA would clampdown on erring barge operators who failed to comply to the new directive.”
The Area Manager lamented that since the introduction of cargo movement through the use of barges in the Lagos waterways , two major mishaps have been recorded.
According to her, NIWA and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) recently mapped out strategies for the movement of cargoes via barges but added that within two months of operations there have been cases of major mishaps.
Braimah reiterated that all barges laden with containers must not be double stacked ,warning that boxes laden on water vehicles must be singularly stacked despite there sizes.
She said:” Because of traffic situation in Apapa we felt we can assist the NPA to help decongest the ports because we saw it as the fastest way to move cargoes out of the ports.
“We got some people licensed to move cargoes through barges from Apapa to Ikorodu and Epe. But we are not satisfied with the activities of the operators and that is why we need to monitor their movements.
“We will commence clampdown on those who do not have permit to operate their barges on Lagos waterways”, She maintained.
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