Expert warns of waterways pollution after barge capsizes in Lagos

There are fears over possible outbreak of marine waste pollution following the sinking of a barge along Mile 2 section of the Lagos waterways, which resulted in the loss of over 80 per cent of the barge chemical cargoes.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, Managing Director/CEO, Waterside Centre, Dr. Hope Orivri, lamented that it is very important that the necessary regulatory agencies carry out post-incident investigation to determine the extent of the damage that has been done to the nation’s marine ecosystem.

According to Orivri, “The submerging of a barge carrying chemicals around Mile 2 axis of the Lagos waterways is bad news for marine life, most especially Coral reef.

“The spillage of chemicals into the marine environment is introduction of contaminants, which is toxic to aquatic life.

“The first thing that happens is the reduction of oxygen levels in the water – this leaves plants and animals suffocating.

“If it is an area where there were coral reefs, that action immediately affects the nursery of fishes.

“Now, there is a huge public health concern for coastal communities around that area because they use the water for multiple purposes, and for some, it includes drinking.

“Chemical pollutants from heavy metals, including mercury, have found their way into the food chains, when we eat fish and other seafood.”

On what should be done, the Waterside Centre boss urged environmental protection agencies of government to carry out laboratory tests to confirm the kinds of chemicals that wax emptied into the Lagos waterways

“Anyhow we look at it, the public health needs to be protected from such hazard.

“Incidents like this need to be avoided to safeguard marine and aquatic life. I expect the necessary regulatory agencies to launch investigations into what has been emptied into the waterways and advice the public appropriately”, Dr Orivri stated.

Recall that a barge belonging to a member of the Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) sank around the Mile 2 waters while trying to manuever and position itself around Clarion Bonded Terminal.

BOAN’s media Officer, Mr. Daniel Eze, in a statement disclosed that the association has been trying to get to the owner of the barge.

He however explained that the crew members onboard the vessel are safe and that many of the cargoes onboard the barge are submerged under water.

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