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By Kenneth Jukpor
As part of efforts to amicably resolve the agelong fracas between the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), NIWA and the Lagos State Government are concluding negotiations for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed between both parties.
The MoU would ensure both agencies have clearly defined responsibilities and curb their differences over the regulation and control of the waterways.
The Managing Director of NIWA, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora revealed this during an exclusive chat with MMS Plus last week, noting that NIWA and the Lagos State Government had set up teams to deliberate on the headway.
“I can tell you happily that NIWA and the Lagos State Government are close to resolving the conflict. Both parties set up committees and the committees met and developed an MoU that is currently being fine-tuned” he said.
He expressed delight that both parties already have an understanding that ensured the deliberation has been smooth and productive.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and the NIWA Managing Director, Senator Mamora had met at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja in January to kick-start the conflict resolution which is expected to be resolved soonest.
Ambode has said that ending the NIWA and LASWA conflict was the most patriotic thing to do, adding that it would be in the interest of all, especially the people’s economic prosperity.
The government, he said, was ready for amicable resolution of the conflict, without prejudice to the matter before the Supreme Court.
The governor said: “We are doing this not just for ourselves; we are doing it for Nigeria and Lagos. I believe that the appointment of Senator Mamora is divine. Since he took over, there has been improvement.
“I support the amicable resolution of this issue despite the legal tussle we have been having. We also respect the rule of law. We know that whatever the decision of the Supreme Court is, it would still have to be implemented by the operators” Ambode said.
Meanwhile, the NIWA Managing Director also told our correspondent that the NIWA bill awaiting President Mohammadu Buhari’s assent, would eliminate jurisdictional conflict with sister agencies.
“The new bill would better define the agency’s procedure for engagement in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) ventures. It would also better define our relationship with sister agencies. It would reduce, if not totally eliminate the jurisdiction conflict that tends to arise in terms of our operations” he added.
