NIWA, Parts Central launch major waterways clean-up as Lagos Commissioner  calls for end to illegal dredging

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Parts Central Limited have launched a major clean-up initiative targeting pollution and indiscriminate waste disposal across Nigeria’s inland waterways, with Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Ekundayo Alebiosu, calling for stronger collaboration to protect waterways and eliminate illegal dredging practices.

The initiative, unveiled on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, is structured as a long-term intervention aimed at restoring the nation’s waterways to cleaner, safer and more navigable condition while unlocking their economic potential under the Federal Government’s Blue Economy agenda.

The programme, which has a 10-year renewable lifespan, will target plastic bottles, human waste, refuse and other pollutants dumped into waterways, while deploying structured waste-collection and disposal systems across waterfronts, landing sites and jetties.

‘Lives must come first

Hon. Alebiosu

Speaking at the launch, Alebiosu commended NIWA and Parts Central for bringing the Federal Government and private sector together around an initiative he described as critical to the safety and economic utilisation of Nigeria’s waterways.

He said keeping waterways clean and usable should be treated as a priority, particularly because human activities, including poorly regulated dredging, can disrupt aquatic ecosystems and endanger navigation.

“What comes first is the lives of Nigerians, and how do we protect them? We start by making sure that we clean up our waterways,” he said.

The commissioner also drew attention to the relationship between dredging and environmental degradation, stressing that while dredging remains important for navigation and reclamation, illegal and poorly executed dredging can have serious consequences for aquatic life and water transportation.

He said disturbing underwater ecosystems could drive fish and other aquatic resources farther from traditional fishing locations, increasing the difficulty and cost of fishing for riverine communities.

Alebiosu also raised concerns over illegal underground installations and other activities associated with unregulated dredging, warning that such practices could interfere with navigation and contribute to boat accidents.

He called for greater involvement of traditional rulers and communities in monitoring activities on the waterways.

“There is no community where illegal dredging happens without somebody seeing it. The sooner we all work together as one, the better for us,” he said.

NIWA seeks stakeholder support

The Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Yusuf Gire, called on stakeholders to support Parts Central in implementing the clean-up programme and to take responsibility for preventing further pollution of the waterways.

Gire urged waterfront owners, boat operators, dredgers, businesses and communities to stop indiscriminate dumping, embrace recycling and protect the waterways for future generations.

“Our waterways must not only be clean; they must be safe, productive and sustainable,” he said.

He said the partnership represented an important step towards transforming the country’s inland waterways into productive economic assets capable of supporting jobs, transportation, tourism and other components of the Blue Economy.

He expressed NIWA’s appreciation to Parts Central for partnering with the authority, while stressing that the success of the programme would depend on sustained cooperation among government agencies, private operators and communities.

Choice of Lagos

Braimah

NIWA Lagos Area Manager, Engr. Sarat Braimah, said Lagos was selected as the starting point because of its extensive network of waterways and the central role water transportation plays in the state’s economy.

She noted that about one-third of Lagos State is covered by water, making the condition of its waterways critical to transportation, fishing, commerce and other economic activities.

“Making it work starts from making it clean. If the water is clean, navigation will be easy. If the water is clean, it will create jobs for even our youth,” Braimah said.

She called on waterfront owners, dredgers, boat operators, tank farm operators and other users to cooperate with NIWA and Parts Central, particularly by providing appropriate waste-disposal facilities and preventing the discharge of untreated waste into waterways.

Technology-driven waste collection

The Managing Director of Parts Central Ltd., Hon. Henry Olaoluwa Onifade, said the company would deploy technology and structured waste-management systems to cover waterfronts, landing sites and jetties.

He disclosed that passenger boats and other watercraft operating on the inland waterways would be provided with approved waste bins, while larger “mother bins” would be installed at jetties to enable operators to dispose of waste when docking.

The arrangement, he said, was designed to make responsible waste disposal easier for waterways users while facilitating the collection and recycling of recoverable materials.

Tourism, safety concerns

The President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Operators (NATOP), Mrs. Bolaji Mustapha, said clean and safe waterways were essential to the development of water-based tourism.

She noted that the condition of waterways could significantly influence visitors’ perception of Nigeria, recalling an incident involving a tourist boat that became stranded while conveying visitors.

Mustapha urged NIWA and Parts Central to complement the clean-up with sustained public awareness campaigns targeting communities and waterways operators.

She said cleaner waterways would benefit not only boat operators and fishermen but also tourism businesses and the wider economy.

The Head of Corporate Communication and Strategy of the Sustainable Waterways Awareness, Advancement and Development Organisation (SWAADO), Chief Raymond Gold, also pledged support for the programme.

Gold said SWAADO’s Nigeria Waterways Directory, which maps operators, jetties, communities and waterways infrastructure, could provide useful data for planning and monitoring interventions.

Marine Police backs initiative

The Maritime Police also endorsed the programme, with Deputy Commissioner of Police U.M. Ogechi, who represented the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Maritime Police Command, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat, said environmental protection was inseparable from maritime safety and security.

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

According to her, protecting the waterways should therefore be regarded not only as an environmental responsibility but also as a maritime security imperative.

Ogechi commended traditional rulers and communities for providing intelligence that has assisted security agencies in combating piracy and other crimes on the waterways, urging them to sustain such cooperation.

Community welcomes intervention

The Odofin of Onisiwo, High Chief Lateef Rufai, welcomed the initiative, noting that refuse dumped into waterways often ends up on the shores of waterfront communities.

He expressed optimism that sustained clean-up operations would improve environmental conditions and the quality of life of residents in riverine communities.