The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) in partnership with Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) on Saturday cautioned residents of Lagos against littering waterways with human wastes.
The Secretary of LASWA, Mr Damilola Famakinwa, gave the warning during the authority’s clean-up exercise at Ebute Ero Jetty, Lagos Island, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise was conducted in collaboration with Wecyclers, a Non-Profit Organisation to clean debris around the jetty.
Famakinwa said that the exercise was to sensitise and enlighten members of the public on the benefits of keeping the waterways clean.
“Our objective is to educate members of the public on the dangers of polluting our waterways and to make them imbibe a culture of keeping waterways clean.
“Observation has shown that generally, Lagosian violates and do not take proper care of the waterways.
“Lagosians litter the waterways with empty plastic, bottles, nylons and various kinds of filth.
“Another practice is open defecation on the waterways, littering it with human wastes in the form of urine and even faeces.
“This is totally unacceptable. We have organisations emptying their waste water and various chemicals pollution in the waterways,” he said.
Famakinwa said that the pollution of waterways necessitated the campaign tagged: ‘Caring for our Waterways’, with the support of relevant agencies.
According to him, the pilot campaign commences at Ebute Ero because the authority notices various kinds of dirt and litter in the waterways alleged caused by market men and women in the area.
The scribe highlighted some of the dangers to include accidents and obstruction to easy navigation on waterways.
He added that it exposed waterways to bacteria and viruses dangerous to marine life, inhibiting recreation and leisure activities on waterways as well as affecting the aesthetic value of waterways.
In her remark, Mrs Bilikis Adebiyi-Abiola, the CEO of Wecyclers Waste Management Limited said the organisation was passionate about waste management in the state.
Adebiyi-Abiola said that the residents could exchange their wastes with the organisation for money, household items, electronic gadgets and other gifts.
NAN reports that LAWMA Advocacy Team went round Oke-Aarin and Gorodomu Markets in Ebute Ero, Lagos Island to warn traders against indiscriminate disposal of refuse.
Various jingles and flyers were used to sensitise market men and women against open defecation, disposal of wastes and toxic pollution into the waterways. (NAN)