The National Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters, on Monday decried the menace of water hyacinth on the movement of tourists in Lagos State.
Mr Ganiyu Balogun, the National President of the association, told newsmen in Lagos that the presence of the water hyacinth had adversely affected patronage.
Balogun, who is also the Chief Executive Officer, Tarzan Jetty, Maroko, Lagos, said that most tourists no longer travel by boat due to the poor state of the waterways.
The National Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters, on Monday decried the menace of water hyacinth on the movement of tourists in Lagos State.
Mr Ganiyu Balogun, the National President of the association, told newsmen in Lagos that the presence of the water hyacinth had adversely affected patronage.
Balogun, who is also the Chief Executive Officer, Tarzan Jetty, Maroko, Lagos, said that most tourists no longer travel by boat due to the poor state of the waterways.
“The water hyacinth has really affected our business; it has blocked the waterways and made movement of boats difficult.
“The menace has caused damages to the boat propeller, the hull and we burn more fuel in the process.
According to him, the affected waterways are Tarkwa-Bay, Maroko, Ikoyi, Lekki, Badore, Ijede, Ikorodu, Badagry and Agaja.
He urged the state government to come to their aid by ridding the waterways of water hyacinth.
Water hyacinth is a free-floating perennial fresh water plant that can grow to a height of three feet. The dark green leave blades are circular to elliptical in shape attached to a spongy, inflated petiole.
Underneath the water is a thick, heavily branched, dark fibrous root system.
Water hyacinth is a very aggressive invader and can form thick green mats on waterways, making boat movement difficult or outright impossible.
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