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FG, Lagos State Stop Barge Operations Along Marina Coastline (PHOTOS)
The Federal Government, in conjunction with Lagos State, yesterday ordered the stoppage of all barge operations, which have desecrated the once beautiful and peaceful Marina coastline.
However, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said it would revoke barge approvals granted some companies that was operating in Lagos State.
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made the stop-work order during an unscheduled inspection of activities around the coastline.
The duo, seeing the long row of trucks and containers that have constituted health and security hazards on the Marina, lamented the devastation of the coastline that used to be the pride of the state, attracting visitors.
Amaechi and Sanwo-Olu described the “unwholesome” activities on the coastline as “shocking” and “unacceptable.”
The minister, therefore, stressed urgent need to sanitise the entire Marina coastline and restore its tranquility and beauty.
Rotimi Amaechi also ordered that trucks must immediately stop coming to Marina to load.
Amaechi, who stated the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) did not grant anyone permission to carry out barging operations, insisting that all such activities must stop immediately, said: “The Federal Ministry of Transport has agreed with Lagos State government to ensure that whoever is making use of Marina coastline should stop. We have agreed with the Commissioner of Police to stop those using the roads and we have also agreed with the NPA to cancel all barge permits pending when each person will come back to NPA, NIWA and Lagos State government to renew such approval.”
Sanwo-Olu directed the Lagos State CP to arrest and prosecute anyone who flouts the order to stop ”unauthorised activities” on the Marina.
