WRECKS OBSTRUCTING WATERWAYS WITHIN 14 DAY ULTIMATUM OR FACE SANCTION – NIWA
Sen. Mamora
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on Thursday issued a 14-day ultimatum to owners of abandoned vessels, equipment and wrecks within its maritime domain in Rivers to remove them or face sanctions.
The Port Harcourt Area Manager, Mr. Abdullah Dabair issued the ultimatum on behalf of the Managing Director, Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora, saying that the wrecks and abandoned equipment were constituting impediments to safety, security and smooth operation in the Port Harcourt area.
Dabai warned that the ultimatum which took effect from January 17 would expire come January 31adding that it would be vigorously enforced because according to him the authority was determined to ensure that critical wrecks were evacuated and disposed to guarantee safety.
He warned that failure of owners to comply within the stipulated period they would cause the authority to impose various sanctions on them.
The Area Manager stated the abandoned equipment and wrecks on Rivers and Creeks were on the Right-of- Way of NIWA, spanning “100 metres perpendicular from the edge of both banks of the River and Creeks’’.
Dabai enjoined owners of such wrecks and equipment to approach NIWA Area Office at Marine Base for identification and certainty of ownership to facilitate removal and evacuation.
He disclosed that the law makes it an offence for any person to obstruct the waterways with rafts; nets; logs; pipelines; pylons; and bridges.
