Passengers stranded as water hyacinths obstruct boat movements in Lagos

Some passengers traveling from Badore ferry terminal in Ajah, Eti-Osa LGA, to Ikorodu area of Lagos state through the waterways have found themselves stranded on Christmas Day.

According to NAN, the disruption was caused by water hyacinths clogging the waterways and hindering boat movements.

Water hyacinths, an invasive species of aquatic plants, grow on the water surface and are known for obstructing navigation.

Tunde Adaranijo, a passenger, said he misses his church Christmas service because operators were unable to work.

Adaranijo said that he arrived at the jetty early in the morning to catch a boat to Ijede in Ikorodu for a church fellowship, but there was no activity.

“This is not encouraging at all. The government should find a lasting solution to these water hyacinth challenges that boat operators face yearly,” he said.

Another passenger, Ngozi Eze, noted that the waterway, once a faster alternative to road travel, has become unreliable due to the persistent issue of water hyacinths.

“I wanted to avoid the usual Christmas traffic on the roads but here I am stranded. The government needs to invest in regular clearing of the waterways to prevent this from recurring, ” she said.

Deji Adeniyi, another passenger, called for quick and effective solutions to the water hyacinth in Lagos waterways to avoid further disruptions especially during festive periods.

“Water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant, has long been a major issue on Lagos waterways, particularly during the dry season when it spreads rapidly,” he added.

“Government should call for more sustainable approaches, such as the use of biological control agents and community-based monitoring programmes to address the issue.”

Adewale Oladipo, a boat operator, said the thick mats of water hyacinth on water often damage propellers, forcing operators to halt their services to prevent accidents.

“It is a serious challenge for us. Sometimes, we have to spend a lot of money to repair our boats because of the damage caused by these plants,” he said.

“We need urgent intervention from the authorities to address this menace.”

A representative of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), who preferred not to be mentioned by name, said efforts were ongoing to solve the situation.

He said that LASWA has deployed clearing machines to remove the water hyacinth and would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth navigation on the waterways.

“We understand the frustrations of commuters and boat operators. The government is committed to providing long-term solutions, including improved monitoring and consistent clearing efforts,” the representative said.