The Supreme Court Judgement that reaffirmed the Authority of the Federal Government through the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) to control activities in Nigerian Inland Waterways has been hailed by the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh who described it as a win-win judgement.
Reacting via his official X handle, @JamohBashir, he noted that this should bring to an end issues of ambiguity and multiple taxation; as states will no longer be able to levy investors, being a responsibility of the government at the Federal level; thus improving the ease of doing business in the maritime sector.
According to Jamoh, it would ultimately attract more investment from both local and international investors.
His words: “The Supreme Court Judgment reaffirming the authority of the Federal Government through NIWA and NIMASA to control activities in Nigerian Inland Waterways is a welcome development.
“This should bring to an end; issues of ambiguity and multiple taxation, as States will no longer levy investors, this being a responsibility of the Government at the Federal level, thus improving the Ease of doing Business in the maritime sector and ultimately attract more investment from both local and international investors.
“This ruling will go a long way in the Federal Government’s effort to exploit potentials of the over 10,000 Kilometers of inland waters in the country.
“I wish to advise all parties concerned, particularly the State governments to embrace the judgement and collaborate with NIWA and NIMASA to better harness Nigeria’s maritime potentials for the benefit of all Nigerians.”