Lagos Ready For Talks With FG Over Waterways Conflict

Lagos State and the Federal Government  will go into talks to amicably resolve the conflict between them over the regulation and control of waterways.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode made this known on Monday in Lagos while receiving the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Managing Director, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora and top management staff of the agency on courtesy visit.

Putting the perennial conflict between NIWA and the Lagos State Inland Waterways Authority (LASWA)  behind “is the most patriotic thing to do” and it would also be in the best interest of all, especially the economic prosperity of the people, said Ambode.

According to him, without prejudice to the matter currently before the Supreme Court on the issue, the Lagos is ready to implement strategies to engender peaceful resolution of the grey areas and points of conflict.

The Governor said it was particularly instructive and beneficial that NIWA was being headed at this particular point in time by Mamora, just as he expressed optimism that the development would translate to the end of hostilities that had been going on for decades between the federal agency and LASWA.

“We are doing this not just for ourselves; we are doing it for Nigeria and Lagos. I believe strongly that the appointment of Senator Mamora is divine and even prior to his assumption as MD of NIWA and ever since he has taken over, there has not been any major complaints from the controversy between the State Government and NIWA and we are very happy for this,” said the Governor.

He, therefore, declared his “total support for the amicable resolution of the issue irrespective of the legal tussle that we have been having over the decades and we also respect the rule of law.”

Ambode said whatever the decision of the Supreme Court, he would give “commitment and total cooperation that anything that is outstanding, we would resolve amicably.”

Earlier, Mamora said his team was at Lagos House to raise the bar for the good of the people by amicably resolving issues relating to waterways transportation, right of way of waterfront and sensitization of waterway users on the need to always fully comply with waterways transportation code.

Mamora, who is a former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly and Senator representing Lagos East at the Senate, commended Governor Ambode for his achievements in office, saying posterity would be kind to him.

“I want to highly commend your Excellency and this is highly appreciated because you have taken very bold step forward and we can always rely on your support,” Mamora said.