Niwa Launches 10-Year Waste Plan for Lagos Waterways

Boats operating on Lagos waterways are to be provided with designated waste bins under a 10-year programme launched by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Parts Central Limited to tackle pollution across the state’s waterways.

The initiative will also establish larger “mother bins” at jetties where waste collected from boats can be offloaded, with technology to be deployed across waterfronts, landing ports and jetties.

Managing Director of Parts Central Limited, Henry Onifade, said the system was part of efforts to create a more organised approach to collecting and disposing of waste on the waterways.

The programme is expected to cover boats, jetties, landing ports and waterfront facilities, with the broader goals of improving navigation, protecting aquatic life, creating jobs and supporting Nigeria’s blue economy.

NIWA Lagos Area Manager, Sarat Braimah, said the success of the initiative would require the involvement of those who use and operate around the waterways.

She urged waterfront owners to provide appropriate disposal facilities and companies operating along the waterways to ensure their waste was properly treated and disposed of.

Onifade also appealed to stakeholders to support the cleanup teams, stressing that maintaining the waterways could not be left to one organisation.

Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Ekundayo Alebiosu, said the condition of the aquatic environment had direct consequences for fishing, navigation and the wider waterfront economy.

He also drew attention to illegal dredging, warning that the activity could disrupt the underwater environment, threaten aquatic life and force fishermen to travel farther to find fish.

The environmental concerns were echoed by Deputy Commissioner of Police at the Maritime Police Command, Udu Ogechi, who described waterways protection as both an environmental and security responsibility.

She warned that polluted and unsafe waterways could contribute to boat accidents, endanger aquatic life and increase the risk of loss of lives.

For the tourism industry, cleaner waterways were described as necessary for developing water-based tourism. President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Operators, Bolaji Mustapha, recalled an incident in which a tourist boat carrying foreign visitors became stuck on the waterways.

She said such experiences could affect how international visitors view Nigeria and urged the organisers to increase awareness among waterfront communities and waterway operators.

The stakeholders said the 10-year renewable initiative would encourage users of Lagos waterways to take greater responsibility for keeping the aquatic environment clean and safe.