Findings by Shipping Position Daily have revealed a lingering power tussle between the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and other government agencies over the clearance of water hyacinth on Lagos waterways.
The findings have heightened concerns following recurring cases of overlapping duties and duplicated budgetary allocations among agencies such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Lagos State Government, and NIWA, all of which have at various times engaged in projects targeting the same objectives.
Records show that in 2010, NIMASA awarded a contract for the removal of water hyacinths valued at ₦240 million, though the contractor reportedly described the sum as insufficient for a thorough job. While NIMASA’s core mandate focuses on marine environment protection and offshore waste management within the general maritime domain, stakeholders have argued that the persistent problem of water hyacinth within inland waterways and Lagos waters primarily falls under the jurisdiction of NIWA, which have separate budgetary provisions for such interventions.
NIWA, for instance, made significant allocations for waterway maintenance in recent years including ₦434 million in 2022 and ₦280 million in 2023 for the removal of water hyacinth and floating debris across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. In its 2025 budget appropriation, the agency has earmarked ₦850 million for the removal of wrecks, clearing of water hyacinths, floating debris, and other materials from the nation’s inland waterways. An additional ₦550 million has been set aside for mechanical and manual clearing of water hyacinths and waste materials within the same scope.
Meanwhile, recent reports show that both NIWA and the Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development have deployed machinery and task forces to areas such as Pakodo Jetty at Ikorodu, undertaking joint efforts to clear the waterways and ensure safe navigation.
These ongoing project-based interventions, stakeholders noted, highlight the need for inter-agency coordination and a clear legislative framework to prevent resource wastage, mandate overlaps, and institutional friction that continue to impede progress in Nigeria’s maritime governance.
Speaking on the development, Comrade Paul Nwang, Lagos District Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Boat Operators Unit, lamented that the rivalry between NIWA, the Lagos State Government, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has frustrated progress in addressing the menace.
Nwang described the situation as wasteful and politically-driven, noting that while NIWA has the legal authority and funding to clear the waterways, other agencies often step in for visibility or political relevance.
“We’ve been talking to government agencies—NIWA, NIMASA, and the rest—but they keep passing responsibilities around. Every year, money is budgeted for water hyacinth removal, but nothing concrete is done. We don’t even know who is truly in charge,”
“Sometimes they award contracts to people who don’t even have the machinery to do the job. They drag the weeds to the bank and when rain comes, it washes back into the water. It’s not serious work,” he added.
Also commenting, Chief Raymond Gold, Public Relations Officer of the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), said the recurring conflict between NIWA, NIMASA, and state agencies is counterproductive and detrimental to sustainable waterway management.
Gold stressed that beyond the rivalry, there are enormous economic opportunities in properly managing water hyacinth, which can be processed into biofuel, fiber materials, and fertilizers if harvested systematically.
“It’s very unfortunate that agencies keep clashing over who should do what. NIWA, by law, controls the inland waterways, while NIMASA oversees coastal waters. The Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront operates under state laws. Instead of competing, they should be collaborating.
Corroborating this view, Ayomikun Aworetan, Secretary of the Lagos State chapter of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), urged agencies to recognize NIWA’s jurisdiction over inland waterways while contributing to complementary areas.
“The law is clear—NIWA regulates the inland waterways. Others like NIMASA and the Lagos State Ministry can support, but they should not compete for control. Collaboration is what will bring results, not power play,” he said.
