Following incidences of boat mishaps on Nigerian waterways, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has commenced removal of major wrecks on the country’s waterways.
Disclosing this to newsmen in Lagos recently, the Area Manager, Lagos Office of NIWA; Engr. Muazu Sambo said some major wrecks on the waters have already been marked, identified, and are currently being removed after approval was issued from the Transportation Ministry. Sambo stated that the wrecks are being removed on a ‘no cure no pay basis’.
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Even though he did not disclose the name of the company handling the wreck removal, Sambo disclosed that the wrecks would be sold and that from the proceeds, the contractor gets paid while the remaining revenue goes into NIWA purse.
“There are two actions that have already been taken, one is wrecks that have been identified long before the last MD’s visit. We have submitted a report on that and we are waiting funding for the survey, identification, marking and subsequent removal.
“Before then, there are wrecks that have already been marked, identified, approval sought for from the ministry, advertised and as we speak, the removal is in progress.
“Wreck removal is a cumbersome process, it requires ministerial approval, the reason is that these are abandoned assets costing large sums of money. They are owned by individuals and entities. You would want to make sure that you give people a fair opportunity to remove their assets from the water. If they don’t do so within a particular set time provided by law, government can move in and remove the wrecks without recourse.
“The approach that NIWA took is that a company that is interested in removing the wrecks goes in at no cure, no pay basis. That means that if you remove the wreck, and it is worth some money, you sell it under the supervision of NIWA. After you deduct your expenses, the net profit is shared on the ratio of two to one between you and NIWA.
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