By IDRIS OLUKOYA

Some passengers traveling from Badore Ferry Terminal in Ajah, Eti-Osa to Ikorodu area of Lagos State through the waterways, were stranded on Christmas day due to water hyacinths disrupting boat movements.

The passengers spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews at the jetty on Wednesday.

A passenger, Mr Tunde Adaranijo, expressed disappointment at the ugly situation on the waterways.

He said that he arrived at the jetty early in the morning to catch a boat to Ijede in Ikorodu, for a church fellowship but was disappointed when he discovered that boat operators were unable to work, due to the invasive hyacinth.

?This is not encouraging at all. The government should find a lasting solution to these water hyacinth challenges that boat operators face yearly, ? he said.

Another passenger, Mrs Ngozi Eze, lamented the stress and frustration caused by the disruption.

She explained that the waterways, which usually served as a faster alternative to road transportation, became unreliable during the festive season due to the recurring hyacinth problem.

?I wanted to avoid the usual Christmas traffic on the roads but here I am stranded.

?The government needs to invest in regular clearing of the waterways to prevent this from recurring, ? she said.

Also, Mr Deji Adeniyi, another passenger, expressed hope for quick and effective solutions to water hyacinth in Lagos waterways to avoid further disruptions, especially during festive periods, at the peak of transportation demands.

?Water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant, has long been a major issue on Lagos waterways, particularly during the dry season when it spreads rapidly.

?Government should call for more sustainable approaches, such as the use of biological control agents and community-based monitoring programmes to address the issue, ? he said.

Similarly, a boat operator, Mr Adewale Oladipo, highlighted the difficulties faced by commercial boat operators during this period.

He noted that the thick mats of water hyacinth often damaged propellers, forcing operators to halt their services to prevent accidents.

?It is a serious challenge for us. Sometimes, we have to spend a lot of money to repair our boats because of the damage caused by these plants.

?We need urgent intervention from the authorities to address this menace,? he stated.

In his response, a representative of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), who preferred anonymity, assured the public that efforts were ongoing to mitigate the situation.

He said that LASWA had deployed clearing machines to remove the water hyacinth and would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth navigation on the waterways.

?We understand the frustrations of commuters and boat operators.

?The government is committed to providing long-term solutions, including improved monitoring and consistent clearing efforts.? (NAN)

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