By Amina Ojelabi
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has unveiled plans to establish a dedicated research and recycling centre aimed at transforming water hyacinth a persistent menace to Nigeria’s waterways into valuable economic resources.
During an inspection of ongoing clearance operations at the Ipakodo Jetty in Ikorodu, Lagos, NIWA’s Lagos Area Manager, Engr. Sarat Braimah, disclosed that the Authority is shifting from its traditional approach of annual clearance exercises to a more sustainable model focused on innovation and resource recovery.
According to Braimah, the proposed research hub will explore ways to recycle water hyacinth into marketable, eco-friendly products such as bags and furniture, drawing inspiration from successful models in countries like the United States.
“Research is ongoing to establish a centre that will help us convert this menace into useful products,” she said. “We have seen how, in places like Wisconsin in the U.S., water hyacinth is being turned into items that create value and jobs.”
Water hyacinth an invasive aquatic weed native to the Amazon Basin reappears annually between July and December, clogging navigation routes, damaging boat engines, and disrupting fisheries and livelihoods across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
NIWA’s ongoing clearance operation in Lagos, led by Braimah, is part of a nationwide effort to keep waterways navigable and ensure uninterrupted transport activities. The agency has deployed a heavy-duty Swamp Devil machine to cut through the dense vegetation at Ipakodo, restoring safe passage for ferries and cargo vessels.
“If we allow boats to navigate through these weeds, engines will be damaged and passengers endangered. Our job is to make sure the waterways remain navigable,” Braimah explained.
She noted that while the financial and logistical coordination of the programme is managed by NIWA headquarters, the Lagos Area Office remains focused on maintaining smooth operations in partnership with the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
The nationwide clearance campaign is also extending to Bayelsa, the Niger Delta, and other NIWA area offices, where the weed continues to spread along major river channels.
“We may not completely eradicate it, but we are determined to turn it into opportunity rather than waste,” Braimah affirmed.
With this strategic pivot toward research, innovation, and recycling, NIWA aims to transform water hyacinth management from a recurring environmental challenge into a circular economy initiative that promotes sustainable jobs, technological development, and ecological resilience across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
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