In a proactive effort to ensure safe and unhindered navigation, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in Lagos has launched a major clearance operation to remove water hyacinth from key waterways in Lagos. This cleanup aims to improve transportation efficiency and safety ahead of the busy Christmas season, targeting high-traffic routes like the Omu creeks and the Ikorodu channel, areas critical for Lagos’s thriving waterway transport.
The NIWA Lagos Area Manager, Sarat Braimah, explained that this initiative is part of the agency’s core responsibilities, with the objective of maintaining clear passages on heavily trafficked channels. “There is usually an increase in boat operations during the Christmas season, and we want to ensure that people are safe,” Braimah stated.
The project has already completed work on the Omu creeks, while efforts to clear the Ikorodu water channel are underway. This critical phase is expected to take at least a week, involving extensive removal of water hyacinth and accumulated debris. Additionally, NIWA is preparing to extend similar clearance operations to the Badagry and Apapa water channels to maintain safe routes for all boat operators throughout Lagos’s waterways.
Noting the recurring nature of water hyacinth growth, Braimah acknowledged, “Though weeds have the capacity to rebound, we are ready to sustain a safe passage for boat operators during and after the Yuletide.” She also emphasized that the Ikorodu channel remains a focal point due to its role as a primary conduit through which these weeds spread to other areas across Lagos’s littoral communities.
With the deployment of 350 safety marshals and ongoing efforts to phase out wooden boats, NIWA is doubling down on safety by keeping a close watch on boat operations and implementing risk management strategies to minimize potential mishaps.
Braimah concluded, “It’s an expensive and demanding project, but our staff are dedicated to ensuring Lagos waterways remain safe and accessible, particularly during this season.”
