The specks and logs controversy on Lagos waterways

Tourist boat operators and water transporters in Lagos has told both the Federal and Lagos Waterways regulatory agencies, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Lagos Waterways Authority (LASWA) to create enabling environment for smooth running of water transport in the state before issuing and enforcing operational standards.

The organized private sector players through their National body, Association of Tourist Boat Operators And Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) noted that the recent roll out of operational guidelines for operators by the two agencies, amount to putting the cart before the horse, and advised the regulatory agencies to first remove the specks and logs in their own eyes so that they may see clearly in managing the growth and development of waterways transportation not only in Lagos but all over Nigeria.

This seeming controversy which broke out after a recent stakeholders meeting held at Protea Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos has refused to die down as both the operators and their regulators refused to find a common ground. Though NIWA has assured to shift ground based on various observations made by the operators who are afraid that water transportation jobs would be lost if the operational standards are not reviewed, LASWA however from our investigation has embarked on subtle harassment of operators and investors through issuances of illegal stop work order and eviction notices to Jetty owners and operators who are on Long term lease from the state Government.

Indeed, the operators and industry observers are of the belief that the issuance of the operational standard directives was a ploy and decoy for the Lagos state government in particular to ban private boat operators from its water way in order to give room and create a monopoly for the expected re-launch of the state moribund ferry service. To address this fear, ATBOWATON in a statement advised the state government to buy and hand over such boats to the operators who will pay stipulated amount to state coffers as it is done on land transportation (BRT) which is managed by a private transport firm for the state government.

The 15 points standard procedure which triggered of the troubles includes but not limited to boat operators deploying boats fitted with two engines and a functional speed meter with an internal dimension of 7.3 meters length and 2.2meters width, a carrying capacity of 30 passengers, a double Hull and bottom design, Navigation Aid, GPS and Echo Sounder systems, Cabin lights, Fire Extinguisher, Paddle, Life Buoys, Shore to  sea communication gadgets, key starter, Horn, Alarm System.

Other are four emergency doors, Toilet, boat operators names on both sides with Country and company flags, passenger manifest, speed limits of 6 Knots around Jetties and 15 Knots as service speed and insurance cover. While thumbing down some of the guidelines as not workable, ATBOWATON advised that effective and accident free water transportation would be driven by proper channelization and checks of logs inflow, removal of wrecks, and zero tolerance of water hyacinths, provision of fuel station on strategic places along the waterways, elimination of multiple taxation and the key presence of marine police to enforce and prosecute offenders.

KENNEDY, PILGRIMS LOTTERY MAN SACKED BY BUHARI

John Kennedy Opara, Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) has been sacked by President Buhari. Opara reappointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013 for another five year term, joined the list of the unemployed last week. Under his watch, NCPC took a nose-dive, dabbling into religious politics, particularly during the last presidential election as the agency became the coordinating ground for pastors and other Christian elements who “volunteered” to pray for PDP re-election.    

NCPC also became heavily uncharitable to the welfare and concerns of Christian pilgrims, many who complained of been ripped off at the holy land.

John Opara led NCPC was also alleged to be a political appointment fixing ground as those who sought appointment with President Jonathan flocked the office of NCPC, including ministers who needs to sort out personal and administrative issues, fell over themselves to seek the favour of Opara, a noted Goodluck Jonathan right hand man.

Critics and observers of Opara’s tenure are now calling for a Probe of NCPC under his watch, particularly over what they called “Religious Political Funds”. It should be noted that when the heat of Campaign against government sponsorship of Christian Pilgrimage became very hot, Opara’s NCPC attempt to justify the continued funding of pilgrim exercise on planks of being beneficial to a better Nigerian work force and God fearing populace was adjudged to hit the ground without effect.

Opara changed tactics and introduced farming and agro allied platforms as pilgrimage time offs, to further justify the relevance of government funding of NCPC activities, again the critics floored the “The trade option” in the pilgrimage campaign. The last straw from Kenedy Opara who religiously went round the country promoting among state governors is the introduction of “Pilgrimage Lottery” for those who could not sponsor themselves. This attempt rather than attract NCPC the need accolades, saw most Christian organizations distance themselves from the lottery pilgrimage which is considered as “sin” against the true tenets of Christianity. That lottery, “Bet” “One chance” or “Kalo-Kalo” as the case maybe could be likened running a trade (bazaar) which once attracted the wrath of Christ. Now that the NCPC Lottery man is gone, which way for NCPC?