Despite the entangled and largely polluted state of Nigerian waterways and rivers nationwide, it is interesting to note there are global organisations determined to make the maritime ecology safe and healthy for humanity. But 59 years after independence, such maritime activism, like other environmental advocacy endeavours, are yet to create the desired impact on our shores. Not even the case of oil-producing areas where the environment has been desecrated since 1956 by the smorgasbord of crude oil exploitation and exploration activities.

On March 14, the International Day of Action for Rivers was observed globally. From Brazil, a third world country, people saw the risk that large dam projects posed and organized against it. As a result, the International Day of Action Against Dams and for Rivers, Water and Life was adopted by participants of the first international meeting of People Affected by Dams, March 1997 in Curitiba Brazil. Representatives from 20 countries decided on the celebration date to correspond with host country, Brazil’s Day of Action Against Large Dams. “Our aim on this International Day of Action for Rivers is to raise our voices in unison against destructive water development projects, reclaim the health of our watersheds, and demand the equitable and sustainable management of our rivers.” Whereas dams are held in high esteem in Nigeria as “development projects” notwithstanding its damaging impact on rivers and marine life, some people who care about rivers raised a voice and the government saw reason, the international community concurred. And it became a world event.

Back in 1980, a similar intervention by an environmental enthusiast in British Columbia, Canada, Mark Angelo, had founded the World Rivers Day (WRD). Findings show that the proposal for a global event to celebrate rivers was based on the success of local Rivers Day. Impressed with the objective and public acceptance, the United Nations embraced the World Rivers Day as “good and fit for the aims of Water for Life Decade, and the proposal was approved.” So, in 2005, the United Nations launched the Water for Life Decade to help create a greater awareness of the need to better care for our water resources. That first event was a great success, and Rivers Day has been celebrated across dozens of countries since then. It is annually celebrated on the fourth Sunday of every September.”

It is a celebration of the world’s waterways, highlighting the diverse values of our rivers, even as it strives to increase public awareness, and encourages the improved stewardship of all rivers around the world. This is with understanding that rivers around the world have problems, just as experts are concerned today that the famous River Niger is drying, even though we Orientals are more concerned about the construction of a second bridge across the Niger. Activists elsewhere are disturbed that rivers in virtually every country face an array of threats, and only through our active involvement can we ensure their health in the years ahead.

“Rivers are integral to all life. Yet, many waterways continue to face an array of threats and are often impacted by inappropriate practices and inadequate protection,” said Mark Angelo, World Rivers Day Chair.

In the two foregoing pro-rivers events, charity began at home. Indisputably, Nigeria is enmeshed in a slew of environmental degradation: Gas flaring, gully erosion, flash flood, crude oil pollution, industrial effluents, automobile pollution (largest consumer of second hand vehicles) bush-burning and dessert encroachment, among others. Fifty-nine years after self-rule, one may ask: What exactly is the government doing about the environment? Can we initiate a day to celebrate or draw citizens’ attention to a particular ecological problem? Given the depth of poverty and self-centredness in the land, can we ever have private environmental initiatives such as WRD and Action against Dams and for Rivers? Yours truly has been advocating for a Public Holiday in respect of Oloibiri, for a nation-wide awareness campaign on environmental degradation, particularly in the Niger Delta. In fact, one is using this opportunity to charge South-east governors to declare a region-wide public awareness on the danger of gully erosion.

Given the nature of Nigerian politics and attitude of public office-holders, government cannot see any reason or merit in such advocacy, until such ecological threats and distresses cause political outcries that will attract release of humongous sums that will end up in the bank accounts of public officials and political contractors. And that’s one of the reasons corruption has become endemic in our society. Provision of services and infrastructure are better measured in billions of naira voted or spent, rather than delivery or physical presence, both at the state and federal levels. In the First Republic, you see projects executed at various levels without knowing the cost. Those were days of servant-politicians. Today, all you hear is billions of naira, either voted, spent or donated by global agencies. No one is any longer shocked that in most cases, there’s nothing on ground to substantiate the huge sums shamelessly bandied in the media.

All the same, we must celebrate our wobbly independence anniversary, even in a threatened environment. The lack of enthusiasm by the public also emboldens relevant government agencies who receive millions of dollars from UN and other donor agencies to siphon the monies without accountability, while the various areas of the damned environment for which the millions were donated keep deteriorating. And with the News Agency of Nigeria on hand, parastatal’s CEOs can always issue statements of their achievements, without a Press Conference where inquisitive reporters and advocacy groups with indepth knowledge of the subject present to ask questions. Therefore, agency chiefs are accountable to themselves, while the environment suffers.

The Federal Ministry of Transport has several agencies that oversee the inland waterways, rivers, canals, creeks, etc. Elsewhere in the world, water transportation is as important as road, but cheaper too. But traditionally, Africans do not appreciate the beauty of beaches and watersides as tourist destinations or leisure spots. Local canals are more or less used for waste-disposal.

Fifty-nine years after, the Apapa-Marina Ferry service is declining, despite the high demand for its services. It was the action-government of Alhaji Lateef Jakande of Lagos who conceived a Metro line (which the military government of Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari cancelled in 1984), built the popular mini-water works that also initiated the Baba Kekere Ferry Services on the waterways. That is now history. In Nigeria, Federal and states cannot compete in the provision of services for the benefit of the public. That is why the Lagos State Government and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) with headquarters in Lokoja, are yet to reach amicable resolution of the age-long tussle between the federal agency and the Lagos State Inland Waterways Authority (LASWA) over regulation and control of the waterways. But to-date, NIWA is still “seeking ways to develop the agency for growth.” And that cannot be achieved through strategic thinking and ingenious administration of the vast waterways in Nigeria for revenue generation. It can only be achieved by travelling to Shanghai, for solution. Hence, the former “MD/CEO of NIWA Sen Olurunnimbe Mamora and some management staff were in China to discuss sustainable ways to develop Nigeria’s waterways for economic growth.” And now his successor is likely to travel with another team for the same purpose. Politician-chief executives come and go, after collecting millions in allowances, estacodes and contracts. But the waterways and canals remain the same: Dirty, blocked, un-navigable in most cases and unattractive for private maritime transportation.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) was established by the Shipping Policy Decree of 11 May 1987, under the Federal Ministry of Transport. Besides the mandate to ensure orderly development, protection and manpower training in the shipping industry, it was also given responsibility for monitoring marine pollution and spillage in Nigerian waters. The oil platforms off the Niger Delta are vulnerable. Today, NIMASA is very active in the area of shipping and cabotage, which spins millions of dollars. It is also important to note that fishermen in Lagos and the South-west have equally cried over the effect of oil pollution on the waters. Even though most NIMASA CEOS were appointed from the Niger Delta, why are they not worried about the frequent discharge of crude oil in the rivers and creeks of the Niger delta which endanger the health of the people, destroy their means of livelihood now and, most importantly, threaten their future survival?

They cannot be bothered because, they are politicians. Who cares about the destruction of marine ecosystem in Nigeria! Even in this age of global protest over climate change and fossil fuel, the extent of public awareness is still menacingly low.

•Nwafo, an Environmental Analyst and News Express Consulting Editor, can be reached on: chi_dafo@yahoo.com; +2348029334754

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