Lagos govt. begins campaign against marine waste

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday embarked on a clean-up exercise and campaign against marine waste, in its bid to enhance safety on the waterways.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the launch of the Waterways Clean-Up Campaign by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) in Lagos, expressed concern about the way huge volume of waste got into the water bodies.

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The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, said that waterways clean-up campaign was a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to safe, clean and friendly water transportation.

“In order to sustain the management of the multifaceted marine litters on our waterways, it has become very necessary for us all to come together and proffer lasting solutions to the sources of the challenges, for an improved water transportation system.

“Government investment in water transportation would be a waste if we fail to formulate a policy that would ensure regular clean-up and protection of our waterways against all forms of environmental degradation and abuse.

“It is unfortunate to note that Lagos, with all its endowed aquatic resources, with its 187km-long Atlantic coastal line and extensive lagoon system which constitutes about 22 per cent of its land area, is massively affected by activities of litters and environmental degradation.

“These are visible across all our coastal lines as a result of various human activities. This calls for serious concern and concerted efforts from the government toward reversing this ugly trend,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor commended LASWA and its sister agencies as well as all stakeholders that joined in the clean-up campaign, aimed at enlightening the public on the danger inherent in indiscriminate waste disposal into the lagoon.

He said that the campaign would reduce accident risk, ensure free flow of movement and safety on waterways, as well as protect the aquatic animals among other benefits.

Sanwo-Olu, who noted that efficient traffic management and transportation system occupied significant position in his administration’s six-pillar Development Agenda, said that water transportation remained a major component of his multi-model transport system.

“This administration has continued to invest in waterway transportation in our determination to unlock traffic gridlocks often experienced in the metropolis, ease commuters’ movement, as well as promote the growth of commerce and economic activities.

“We are committed to save travel time and reduce traffic-induced stress to the barest for healthy living of our people,”he said.

According to him, the menace of marine litters is rooted in inappropriate solid waste disposal, management practices, product design that does not consider life-cycle impacts and accidental loss.

He said that intentional dumping of fishing gears or ship generated waste as well as poor public understanding of the potential consequences of their actions on waterways were part of the causes.

Sanwo-Olu said that the clean-up also became necessary to protect people living in riverine rural communities, whose livelihoods depended largely on water bodies.

He urged relevant stakeholders along coastal lines to stop forthwith any form of pollution, waste disposal and other forms of abuse on the waterways.