The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has disclosed plans to commission three new jetties in some parts of Lagos State come November 2020, as part of efforts to boost water transportation through the Ecological Fund Project.
The Ecological Fund was established in 1981 through the Federation Account Act of 1981 on the recommendation of the Okigbo Commission while the Ecological Fund Office was established in 1985. It is an Office under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) headed by a Permanent Secretary. The Fund constitutes 1% of the Federation Account and it is known as Derivation and Ecology Fund.
The Prime objective of the initiative was to have a pool of fund that would be solely devoted to the funding of ecological projects to mitigate serious ecological problems.
Lagos Area Manager of the agency, Engineer Sarat Lara Braimah who stated this recently in a chat with our correspondent , explained that the new jetties after the unveiling would be used for public consumption to aid navigation and ease movement of passengers.
Braimah noted that the new jetties set for commissioning are located in: Ajegunle under Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area; Tin Can Island ; Apapa Local Government Area and Mile 2 , in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area.
While highlighting some of the activities lined up for next months,the Area Manager reiterated that funds have been disbursed by the Managing Director of NIWA,Dr. George Moghalu for the removal of marine litters and water hyacinth, in order to ease safe navigation of crafts on the state waterways.
“Water hyacinth is a menace that comes up every year. Normally we find them during the months of June to December. Last year we started clearing from November and we did Epe, Ikorodu and Agbara axis.
“We are to clear again this year , the MD of NIWA , Dr. George Moghalu has made money available for clearing and very soon we will move to site as water hyacinth comes.
According to her , the authority has also deployed three patrol boats to monitor movement of passengers and cargoes on the brown waters.
She stressed that NIWA has deployed three search and rescue patrol boats on the Lagos waters in case of unforeseen circumstances at waterways.
Braimah said,the patrol boats are stationed at Mile 2, Ikorodu and Maroko.
By Roland Ekama
