Court Stops State’s Control Of Inland Waterways

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has said that a state Government has no authority or powers to legislate on Inland Waterways in Nigeria.

Justice I.S Mark ,gave this order in a Judgement in the Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/142/2022 between Bright Waters Energy Limited (plaintiff) and the Honorable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, River State, the Hon. Commissioner of Environment, Rivers State and Petroleum Financial Corporate (PFC) as defendants

According to a statement signed by Jibril Darda’ General Manager Corporate Affairs Department,National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA),and made available to MMS Plus, the Court ruled that ,”A State government has no Authority or Power to legislate on and enforce compliance of its legislation that affect the use, management and control of Inland waterways in Nigeria as it is exclusively within the control of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) by virtue of the constitution and the Act establishing NIWA by the National Assembly”.