Weeks after the Federal and State Government’s order for non use of the Lagos marina waterfront by Barge Operators, the place is still occupied and abused by some of the Operators.
This is in total defiance of the recent order by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Sanwo Olu and the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, who both recently toured the area to acertain the extent of debasement of the once beautiful and aesthetics serenity of the waterfront.
Visits to the area, reveal that the Barge Operators are back and still having a field day in their operations against the Government order.
In a chat with the Managing Director of the National In-land Waterways Authority, NIWA, Dr. George Moghalu, in Lagos, he stressed the fact that a tripartite committee compring, his Agency, the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA as well as the Lagos State Government, had been set up to re appraise the activities of the barge Operators.
Dr. Moghalu however expressed regrets over the continuous use of the waterfront by those Operators, noting that any Barge Operator who desires to get a renewal license, must have to meet with the new Committee for a proper way of effective and efficient operations via stipulated guidelines.
He further explained that in civilsed society, no one defaces nor debase the waterfront because of it beauty and aesthetics and that Lagos as an emerging world class city, must protect its waterfront seriously.
Olaoluwa Adekunle
