A Civil Society Group under the aegis of of Joint Youth Progressive Alliance, JYPA, lamented the Complacency of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, which has led to the monumental fraud at the Lagos State Ministry of Waterfronts, prompting the Group to raise alarm, hereby calling on the Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo led Lagos State Government to address the situation in earnest.
The Concerned Boat Operator had presented the viability of operations ferry service from Mende to other areas of Lagos to the administration of former Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, which was under reviewed before he left the saddle.
As the Governor Sanwo Olu came on board, he awarded the channelization project commenced, with the Concerned Boat Operator neglected and not awarded the Contract.
Rather, a Dredging Company with little or no experience was awarded the contract, in which it was gathered that the company was used as a conduit pipe to milk Lagos State, by doing next to nothing.
It was alleged by the Group that the Commissioner of Waterways In Lagos State, Dayo Alebiosu had deceived Governor Sanwo Olu in believing that the Company was capable of handling such enormous task by awarding the contract to one of his proxies who has been doing a shoddy job, with feelers from different quarters that the Commissioner and the Contractor both share the sum of N5 Billion awarded for the contract.
It was gathered that the Two Dredgers On Site is estimated to worth less than N100 Million, which therefore makes it grossly inadequate to create a New Channel, especially in such a Terrain. The Contract Sum of the Project is estimated to be about N5 Billion.
The Group in a Statement through its Publicity Secretary, Moshood Obafemi is however condemning this action in its entirety, stressing that it is very unfortunate that NIWA whose sole responsibility as a Federal entity in monitoring the activities and approving the design and mode of carrying out any activities on the Waterways could have neglected its activities due to corrupt practices, and allowing this anomalies to persist.
JPYA said it is rather unfortunate and disheartening that NIWA is looking the other way, with the Group alleging that NIWA has been induced.
It added that this level of fraudulent activities should not be allowed in Lagos State especially this time when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose mantra is no to corruption and fraudulent practices is at the helms of affairs of the country, likewise Governor Sanwo Olu, who has zero tolerance to corruption.
Speaking further in the statement, the Group said that this Governor Sanwo Olu’s Second Term in office, so the Operator (Contractor) is happy that the proposal has come to stay.
The Group is demanding that the Lagos State Governor to set up a committee to investigate this anomalies happening in the Ministry of Waterways, and fish out those engaging in this fraudulent and sharp practices.
