NIWA urges Cross River govt to increase maritime security, reduce taxes

Owo Ette, Calabar

The National Inland Waterways Agency, NIWA, has called on Cross River State government and Nigerian Navy to step up maritime security along its Calabar Channel as well as the Cameroon water route.

The Area manager of NIWA, Mr. Stanley Onouha made the call at the commissioning ceremony of a privately owned passengers boat services that will ply Calabar to Limbe coastal city in Cameroon.

He urged the government to support water transportation and reduce taxes and rates slammed on boat owners in order to attract more maritime enterprises into the state.

The Cross River State governor,

Bassey Edet Otu who commissioned the boat services owned by an indigene of the state, Mr Thompson Eja, said that commissioning was in line with his administration’s determination to boost the blue economy.

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Peter Odey assured that his government values the blue economy, emphasizing that the waterways do not only serve as a gateway to the Gulf of Guinea but also a pathway to sustainable economic development for the state.

He said the boat services also illustrates his administration’s dedication to fostering a private-sector-driven economy.

Governor Otu noted further that such will involve creating a conducive environment and institutional framework to unlock the economic potential in the maritime sector and other private enterprises.