GOV AYADE DIRECTS BRANDING OF ALL BOATS AND CANOE OPERATING WITHIN THE CRS WITH STATE COLOURS AND SECURITY CODE
State Correspondent
As the on going inspection tour of the Cross River State Waterways continues, The Director General of Cross River State Waterways Security Services Hon. Bobby Ekpenyong has revealed that Governor Ben Ayade is determined to rid beaches and water outlets across the state of illegal taxation, Kidnapping and illegal activities by individuals who do not have the jurisdiction to operate in those areas.
He affirmed that the Governor has declared zero tolerance to all forms of criminalities in our waterways.
According to him the branding of all boats and canoes in the Cross River State Waterways and the official certification will help curb insecurity in the State. Adding also that with the proper registration of boats, canoes and vessels no operator will have the audacity to use unregistered boats or canoes to perpetuate any illegal operations such as kinapping or any other despicable practices.
Hon. Ekpenyong said that there will be exemption for interstate commercial boat and vessel operators from neighbouring States who are not domiciled within the Cross River State waterways. Noting that they will be regulated to operate within a specific time frame. He reemphasied that the security operatives on patrol in the creeks will apprehend any unregistered boats or canoes that refuses to comply with the new directives in the State.
He also revealed that designated locations will be created where boats and canoes will be anchored across the State Waterways to enforce order and effective coordination. He stated emphatically that all State appointees and non- appointees who have placed unnecessary levies on the boats, canoes and water operators within the State waterways should refrain forthwith or be made to face both legal and media trials with dire consequences. Noting also that the cumbersome levies have driven a huge number of commercial operators/ investors away from our water corridors.
He therefore called on all business operators within the Cross River State waterways to remain law abiding by supporting the Ben Ayade led administration to sanitize the waterways across the State.
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