After a prolonged legal dispute between the Federal Government and the Lagos State government regarding jurisdiction over the nation’s waterways, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Federal Government and its regulatory agency for inland waterways, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). This decision has been hailed by the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Bashir Jamoh, as a reaffirmation of the Federal Government's authority through NIWA and NIMASA to oversee activities in Nigeria's inland waterways. The judgment, delivered by Justice Okoro in Abuja, upheld a previous ruling by the Federal High Court, declaring NIWA as the legitimate authority over Nigerian inland waterways and advising all states, including Lagos, to refrain from regulating activities on these waterways.

In response to the ruling, Bashir Jamoh, through his official Twitter handle @JamohBashir, expressed that this decision should put an end to issues of ambiguity and multiple taxation, as states will no longer impose levies on investors, a responsibility now solely held by the Federal government. He believes this will enhance the ease of doing business in the maritime sector and attract more investment from both local and international sources. Jamoh also emphasized that the Supreme Court's decision will greatly aid the Federal Government's efforts to tap into the potential of the over 10,000 kilometers of inland waters in the country. He urged all concerned parties, especially state governments, to accept the judgment and work in collaboration with NIWA and NIMASA to fully exploit Nigeria's maritime potential for the benefit of all Nigerians.

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