NIWA boss debunks FG involvement in double taxation

The Federal Government through the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Dr George Moghalo, has declined double taxation to the jetty operators in the county.

The NIWA boss Moghalo made this known at a stakeholder meeting, 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 county.

He said the rationale behind the decision was that, 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.

Moghalo in an effort to reposition the agency for more opportunities promised to commence issuance of licences to boats and vessels operations on our waterways.

He said the move would help regulate the operations of vessels/boats, as well as other business activities on the 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 the ground, and meet the stakeholders in the sector saying that, he would want to build an end – to end a relationship with effective stakeholders.

He appealed to them to support NIWA as the agency could not afford to fail them

On the frosty development between NIWA, Nigerian Ports Authority 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 fice, enlightenment amongst others.