Abandoned wrecks on inland waterways worrisome —NIWA

THE National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has lamented the preponderance of abandoned vessels on the nation’s inland waterways, stating that anytime the authority removes a wreck, another wreck resurfaces on the waterways.

Disclosing this to maritime journalists recently, the Acting Managing Director of NIWA,  Danladi Ibrahim stated that the authority has spent huge sums of money to remove many abandoned vessels in Port Harcourt area.

According to the NIWA boss, “We are currently engaging a private firm to help NIWA clear the many wrecks on the inland waterways along the Lagos area. The firm will be doing that on a ‘No cure, no pay’ basis.

“However, we have spent a lot of government funds in clearing abandoned wrecks in Port Harcourt area.

“It is worrisome because the moment a wreck is removed, you will see another one floating again on the waterways. The rate at which people abandon vessels is worrisome.”