Reps task FG on dredging of Oke-Afa Inland Waterways, Lagos

The House of Representatives has called on National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to initiate the process towards the dredging of Oke-Afa Inland Waterways in Lagos State, to International standard.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Ganiyu Abiodun, who expressed optimism that the dredging of the Oke-Afa canal will reduce the congestion at various ports and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

He recalled that Oke Afa Canal was the site where hundreds of men, women and children, unfortunately, got drowned in the hyacinth covered mud while trying to escape from the Ikeja Military Cantonment bomb blast mishap in 2002 out of panic.

“Since the incident, little or no effort has been made to construct a proper canal to serve as a barrier or blockade to prevent a recurrence.

“The House also notes that the canal is heavily silted and requires dredging so that stormwater from adjoining surface roads can easily be transported to the lagoon to reduce the perennial flooding in the area.

“The House further notes that Lagos, located on the Atlantic Coastline with the foremost Apapa seaport and being the nation’s commercial nerve centre with over 8 million inhabitants commuting daily and also harbouring about 80% of industries in the country which ensures a ceaseless migrant flow into the city that has compounded commuting owing to poor road network, has posed a daunting mass transit challenge to successive administrations.

“The House is worried that Nigeria cannot afford to continue enduring the huge daily socio-economic losses caused by the perennial and harrowing Lagos gridlock as it has been estimated that Lagosians spend about six hours daily in traffic, which decreases productivity with negative health implications.

“The House is aware that a study conducted in 2007 by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Nigeria Economic Summit Group found that Nigeria loses about $10 billion annually due to the daily traffic lockdown at the Apapa axis of Lagos State alone.

“The House is also aware that there is an existing jetty at Festac Town which is not in use as a result of the silted canal and given that Lagos State has its area covered by 15% of water, exploring the inland waterways will offer an alternative mode of mass transit which has the potentials to decongest Lagos roads, provide cheaper and more effective means of transportation and save residents valuable man-hours currently being wasted daily on the roads to gridlocks.

“The House further aware that the legal battle that spanned for over ten years between the Lagos State Government and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) over control of the waterways was resolved on Monday, July 29, 2019, with both parties signing an agreement of cooperation to allow both the National Inland Waterways Authority and the Lagos State Water Authority to mutually ensure safety and monitor regulations on the waterways,” Hon. Abiodun said.

In order to ensure compliance, the House mandated the Committees on Land Transport, Waterways and Urban Development Regional Planning to ensure implementation.