We Are Not Party To Double Taxation- NIWA Boss Tells Stakeholders In A’Ibom
The Federal Government has declined double taxation to jetty operators in the country, saying that the gesture is to encourage private individuals doing businesses on its waterways to thrive, and relieve the government the burden of unemployment in the country.
The Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalo, made this known at a stakeholders meeting in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, on Monday.
He said, the rationale behind the decision was that the Federal Government alone cannot carry on with the burden of unemployment facing the country, and that it would require the collaboration of the private sector to provide more employment opportunities to Nigerians.
Dr. Moghalo in an effort to reposition the agency for more opportunities promised to commence issuance of licences to boats and vessels operators on waterways.
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He said the move would help regulate the operations of vessels/boats, as well as other business activities on its water right of ways.
The MD noted with excitement that his visit to the Area Office in Akwa Ibom was to acquaint himself with the situation on ground, and meet the stakeholders in the sector, saying that he would want to build an end – to end relationship with effective stakeholders’ communication.
He appealed to them to support NIWA in the state, as the agency could not afford to fail them.
On the frosty development among NIWA, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other agencies on jetty revenue collection, the MD assured the stakeholders that he would resolve all the issues with the NPA as he would not be a party to double taxation.
According to him, “It would be unfair if you task the stakeholders unnecessarily because they are also helping to provide employment, as government alone cannot carry out the burden of unemployment in the country.
“What we do is to help the private sector to grow so that the problem of unemployment is solved.”
He also cleared the doubts on other issues such as: piracy/safety on waterways, facilities at the area office, enlightenment, amongst others.
According to him, “Safety on our waterways is a major concern and the Nigerian Navy is very cooperative in addressing the issue of piracy as well as providing safety.
“Not long ago, there was a safety conference in Abuja organized by NIMASA, where several countries of the world were in attendance to fashion out solutions to water safety.
“NIWA today has a DCP as head of the security, and IGP, Mohammed Adamu, has promised to release additional personnel to strengthen our security directorate”.
On the issue of facilities at the area office, Dr Moghalo assured that he would do everything within his power to give if a face-lift, while partnering the state government on access roads.
While disclosing the agency’s readiness to enforce safety on waterways, he said NIWA had signed an MoU with a firm to provide life jackets to water operators across the country’s waterways, as well as embark on enlightenment campaigns on television and radio.
Earlier, Dr Moghalo paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Ruler of Eket, HRM E. C. D. Abia, who urged him to open more jetties in the state to create employment and promote water tourism.
The royal father said Akwa Ibom was blessed with water fronts, which could be useful to NIWA to generate more revenue and expand water trade.
