Eliminate Toxic Inorganic Matter: For Enhanced Ecosystem- President NIWA
Katherine Abayomi
Debris and wrecks should be cleared to maintain passenger safety and cleanliness in waterways, which will aid the safety of goods and passengers. On this note, the president of the Admiralty Society of Nigeria, Angus Obinna Chukwuka, calls on the Federal Government and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for proper dredging that will enable waterways to become deeper and wider. This will allow bigger and more vessels to navigate, which will speed up the maritime business and, in turn, yield profits.
“A blocked waterway symbolizes a bleak maritime merchandise future and poor tourism outlook. Apart from that, the waterways are cleared of debris and wrecks and are therefore safer for goods and passenger conveyances. Furthermore, dredging or clearing the waterway culminates in eliminating dangerous inorganic and or toxic waters around our coastlines”.
President Agus stated that the waters significantly impact livestock, which can result in their death, and that of the final consumer, and ultimately, on seafood and disruption of the ecosystem.
“Similarly blocked canals and drains which hinders access of rain or flood waters to streams have severely resulted in flooding of communities and cities and rendering inhabitants homeless,sick and poor,with many death records occurring .
“The recent flooding in Maiduguri and other cities across Nigeria could have been avoided through a proactive dredging of our waterways and cleaning of our Canals,gutters and other Channels”.
President Angus calls on other regulatory bodies and waterways authorities to implement an extensive dredging master plan across the country to ensure the safety of our waterways, enhance the ecosystem, and improve the environment for maritime business. He also calls on the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to encourage private-public partnerships, which will spur capable and willing private investors, thereby bringing development to the sector.
” In this regard, proper licensing should be issued to deserving businessmen to actualize some Of the functions which the enabling legislation ie NIWA ACT Conferred on the body”.
Agus encouraged all Citizens to work towards clearing our waterways, Canals, and drains, stating that Citizens must be properly sensitized to dumping plastic waste indiscriminately into flutters and along the road. He also cautioned perpetrators of this to desist from it dubious and corrupt personnel who compromise standards when cut will be made to face the music.
“Dubious and corrupt personnel who compromise standards should be made to face the music .
Meanwhile, he noted that adequate facilities and equipment to assist in effectively dredging and cleaning waterways and canals should be provided in a timely manner. The government must shun giving Jobs involving the dredging of waterways and clearing of coastal lines to politicians and their Cronies, who only enrich themselves by abandoning the project entirely or Midway.
He further stated that the task of dredging our waterways,clearing our drains ,canals and coastlines is a responsibility that leads to collective prosperity, safety and sanity as people and all should be involved.
