MEOLAN Decries Piracy, Double Taxation, Wrecks In Rivers

Activities of sea pi
rates, double taxation and wrecks along the waterways have been attested as some of the challenges facing marine operators in Rivers State.
The Chairman, Maritime Equipment Owners Leasing Association of Nigeria (MEOLAN), Rivers State, Sir Dan Harrison dropped this hint during the 2014 National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Safety Awareness Campaign held in Port Harcourt recently.
Harrison said the activities of the association were being hinderd by incessant attacks on marine boat operators by sea pirates as well as the wrecks along the Abuloma jetty axis to the Bonny coast, stressing that it is seriously hindering marine operations.
He appealed to NIWA, which is the sole authority on inland waterway, to ensure safety on the waterways within and outside Rivers State.
The chairman also condemned the act of double taxation or conflict of interest as both government and other agencies always collect money from his members in the name of one taxation or the other, and called on NIWA to also stop such extortion as they have a court judgement and Federal Government mandate to regulate, register and control marine boats.
According to him, MEOLAN contributes over 80 per cent revenue to the government and also supports oil and gas industry.
Harrison further called for provision of more security boats with modern equipment to fight sea pirates on the waterways.
He also lamented over the on-going Okrika – Port Harcourt bridge as it could enhance economic activities, appealing to the major contractors, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to redesign the project for better marine operation in the area.

Collins Barasimeye