NIWA MD Set For Fresh Recruitment in Lagos

ABIOLA Seun |

The Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora has promised to absorb all the casual staff currently working at the Authority’s Lagos Area Office.

Mamora, who disclosed this on his facility tour to the Area Office and some jetties across Lagos, said that it is unfair to keep people on casual appointment for so long.

According to him; “The good news is that NIWA has a dispensation now to employ staff. I think such staff should expect that they must have justified for being part of this. We should do everything possible to absorb them as full staff.

“So we will make the necessary recommendations and the area offices I have visited have the same issue of understaff. We must address our needs in terms priority not just bringing people into the system without justifying the need.”

However, he urged the entire Lagos team to triple the figure of revenue generated to justify being the largest office in Southwest and being in the hub of Lagos maritime activities and related services.

After admitting the constraints of shortage of staff, logistic issues and other challenges the Lagos office zone goes through, he assured that the Authority would assist them to solve the challenges.

Also speaking at the event, the General Manager, NIWA Lagos zone, Mu’Azu Sambo, said that it is largely due to commitment, dedication to duty and a spirit of resilience in the face of numerous challenges that have made it possible for the Lagos Area Office to record quantum revenue growths over the years.

He added that the Area Office major revenue sources are derived from use of Right-of-Way; Dredging/Reclamation; Registration of water crafts/vessels and Pipelines/Utility crossings.

He explained: “from a mere N5.6 million in 1999, our collections had risen to a peak of N132 million in 2007, declining to N100 million by 2010 ( representing the years of the locusts” the most intensive years of attrition by Lagos State Government and its agencies against NIWA and its revenue base).

“However, through regular stakeholders’ interactive for a, NIWA Police enforcement of the Federal High Court judgement and active resistance to the impunity of Lagos State Officials, our revenue began to witness a steady improvement from the N100 million in 2010 to N472 million in 2017,” he explained.

He said Area Office revenue currently stands at N412,425, 485.03, saying the revenue would rise to N573 million as soon as the Authority’s Lagos Area office receives its anticipated payment due from AMCON.

Speaking on Public Private Partnership (PPP), he said in order to optimise revenue streams for the Authority from its facilities lying fallow, “we have made far-reaching efforts at PPP for some of our facilities in Lagos namely-the CMS jetty/Office premises, Ijora, Oyingbo, Osborne and Victoria Island jetties.

In addition, he hinted that the Authority had earlier derived some quantum cash flows from its PPP with Aquamarine at its Oyinkan Abayomi jetty, Ikoyi.