The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has commenced a two-month nationwide operation aimed at clearing water hyacinth across key waterways in the country, beginning with the Ipakodo Jetty in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
The exercise, which was officially flagged off by the NIWA Lagos Area Office on Monday, is part of NIWA’s annual intervention to curb the menace of water hyacinth—an invasive aquatic weed that hampers water transportation, fishing activities, and navigation safety.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Engr. Sarat Braimah, described the clearance as a critical safety measure, noting that the weed poses severe risks to boats, engines, and waterway users.
According to Engr. Braimah, NIWA has deployed heavy-duty machinery such as Swamp Devils and aquatic harvesters to combat the buildup of water hyacinth in Lagos and other affected areas. She emphasized that the clearance will run for about two months, during which the Authority will monitor and follow the movement of the weed across various waterways.
The NIWA Area Manager noted that the Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, has provided the necessary logistics and technical support to ensure that this year’s operation significantly reduces the impact of the aquatic weed on transport activities.
“We are now at Ipakodo Jetty for monitoring and supervision of this clearance exercise. Water hyacinth is an invasive aquatic weed that disturbs transportation, navigation, and even fisheries on our waterways. The operation we have commenced is not just for show—it’s for the safety of water users and boat owners.
“As the clearance continues, our teams will move from Ikorodu to Epe and other identified hotspots. The weed moves with river currents, so we are moving with it. After Lagos, the operation will extend to the Niger Delta region, including Bayelsa and other littoral states where the menace has been reported.
“We may not be able to completely eradicate water hyacinth because it is seasonal, but we can reduce its impact through continuous clearing. It usually reappears between July and December during the rainy season, and NIWA has been consistent in tackling it every year,” Braimah added.
She also traced the origin of the weed to the Amazon Basin in South America, explaining that it found its way into Nigerian waters through ships’ ballast water discharged at ports since the 1980s.
Beyond clearance, Engr. Braimah revealed that NIWA is exploring opportunities to recycle and repurpose water hyacinth into useful materials such as furniture, handbags, and herbal products.
She further confirmed that NIWA is working in collaboration with the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and other stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to the clearance and management of water hyacinth across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
While financial details of the exercise are managed by NIWA headquarters, Engr. Braimah reiterated the Authority’s commitment to keeping the nation’s waterways safe, navigable, and conducive for marine transport operators.
