Health
Stakeholders seek sustainable cleanup of waterways
By Anozie Egole
Stakeholders have urged the adoption of sustainable measures to clean Nigeria’s waterways and unlock their full economic potential.
These stakeholders stated this in Lagos during the official unveiling of the National Inland Waterways Authority-Pact Central Inland Waterways Clean-up Initiative.
Speaking at the event, the Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Sarat Braimah, explained that the essence of the gathering was for Pact Central to assist NIWA in cleaning the nation’s waterways.
“We are unveiling Pact Central as a partner to NIWA. And what they are supposed to do is to help us in making sure that the inland waterways of Nigeria are clean and safe for navigation. You all agree with me that Lagos State is the heart of Nigeria. And anything that wants to be done has to be started in Lagos. And we have to make sure that it works well before we can translate to other states. You agree with me that one-third of Lagos State is water,” Braimah said.
She added that clean waterways are essential to unlocking the full potential of the blue economy, noting, “If the water is clean, navigation will be easier. If the water is clean, it will create jobs for even our youth. So through cleaning, a lot of jobs can be created. So, you agree with me that we are starting on a very good note by introducing Pact Central to do this with us.”
She warned that most tank farms along the waterways discharge their waste directly into the water, asserting, “Dump your plastic waste properly. This plastic waste can be recycled. It can be used economically to generate something for this nation. We are making Lagos State clean for everybody. Please, dump your waste properly. If you are building by the waterside, build properly. If you are discharging waste as a company, discharge it properly.”
Earlier, the Managing Director, Pact Central Limited, Mr Henry Onifade, reiterated the need to protect the nation’s waterways.
“That we all have a stake. We must make sure that we protect our waterways. How are we going to do that? The things we were doing before, we can’t do them anymore. Not that we can’t go to the toilet anymore, or we can’t do any other things, but anything that is causing pollution must be a thing of the past,” he said.
Onifade mentioned that the company would be deploying different types of technology that will capture every area and every waterfront.
“We will make sure that every boat on Nigerian or any watercraft on Nigerian inland waterways will have a new and passenger-approved waste bin. Every jetty will have a mother bin where you will offload your waste when you are docking,” Onifade stated.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mr Yacoob Alabiosu, said, “What comes first is keeping our waters safe, keeping our waters clean, keeping our waters very usable. I am very excited about something.”
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: health_wise@punchng.