NIWA takes delivery of new jetty

The Ecological Fund Office (EFO) in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on Thursday handed over a newly constructed jetty at Tincan Island port area to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

The jetty is an intervention program by the EFO to address the challenges of siltation, flooding and solid wastes along the ferry channels

During the commissioning of the project, the Nigerian Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora said that the project was approved in the fourth quarter of 2018 to address siltation, pollution which have constituted clogs in smooth water transportation in the country.

Mamora stated that the project now completed, would hamper the fear of erosion as well as possible ecological challenges in the area.

Senator Mamora said, “The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) identified the CMS-MILE 2 as the busiest route of ferry services, but for the high pollution rate, flooding along the river banks as well as siltation along the ferry channel which have negatively affected ferry services as marine litters and the shallow channels have made service operators to avoid these ferry routes”

“The dream however is to resuscitate, upgrade existing jetties and make the ferry route operational through the removal of silt and solid wastes along the ferry channels which of course is in line with international best practices”

“It was estimated that about an average of six (6) million commuters transit from the Lagos mainland to Lagos island daily, Which equally takes travel time of about three (3) hours, whereas, ferry transportation through the Inland Waterways will take thirty (30) minutes to reach the destination. and these means of transportation will equally take take off about two (2) million commuters from the Lagos gridlock”

“I feel honored with this invitation as the Special Guest of Honour not only because the project is dear to the people of Lagos state, but also because it is in keeping faith with the present administration’s promise that no part of the country will suffer any neglect owing to its geographical location or political consideration” he said.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NIWA, Dr George Moghalu said the IKo community is the major beneficiary of the project.

His words, “I want to appeal to you to please see this project as your project, manage it, protect it, because one thing we have noticed is that despite the limited resources available to government, it develops project but people disregard and mismanage them, at the end of the day turn back to blame the government

“We have received enough support from the government of the day, so it is the desire of government to make water transportation, particularly inland water transportation a means of choice for movement of goods and services”

Earlier in his welcome address, Permanent Secretary of Ecological Fund Office (EFO) Dr Habiba Lawal had said the Federal Government received a lot of requests regarding the need and desirability of embarking on the project as a result of imminent danger posed by the devastating recurring erosion and flooding that have been threatening the lives and property of the communities.

He said the risk of shoreline erosion and its negative consequences necessitated the prompt intervention of the Federal Government in effecting a holistic approach to the control and flooding that would stand the test of time and address the issue of shoreline erosion menace caused by high ocean current/tidal waves over the years.

Accordibg to him, “It is our conviction that this project intervention will provide succor to the communities whose lives and properties were in danger.

“EFO entrenched a new tradition of organizing in collaboration with the host Community a befitting ceremony for the commissioning and handing over of its project; this singular act will serve a dual purpose of taking ownership of the project and ensuring its sustainability”, he maintained.