The Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) on Thursday urged the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Lagos State Government to find solutions to the menace of water hyacinth.
The ATBOWATON President, Mr Ganiyu Tarzan, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday at Epe, Lagos State, that water hyacinth was major challenge confronting boat operators on waterways.
According to him, February is water hyacinth season, when it takes over the waterways and disrupts movement of boats.
” I have been finding it difficult to meet up with customers’ demands.
“Ordinarily, my boat navigates the waterways from Badore Jetty to Ijede Jetty, up to seven to 10 times a day, but since water hyacinth took over the waterways, hardly do I go five times in a day.
“It is difficult to navigate waterways during this hyacinth season.
“I appeal to both Lagos State Government and NIWA to find a lasting solution to this challenges on waterways,” he said.
Tarzan added that there were other challenges facing boat operators on the waterways.
“Operators are lamenting presence of wreck.
“The debris is damaging our craft and making operators to accrue huge operating cost, ” he said.
