Headlines

Water Hyacinth: An imported invasive aquatic menace NIWA is determined to fight in Nigeria

Funso OLOJO

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has reiterated its determination to curtail the spread of water hyacinth along the nation’s waterways.

Water hyacinth is an invasive aquatic weeds which make inland waterways channels non- navigable as they spread and cover the surface of the water, destroying the aquatic splendour of the waterways, making navigation near- impossible and killing the creatures.

The menace was imported into the country’s waters in 1980 from Latin American, Amazon Basin, by vessels which scooped the water from the region as ballast water and empty same into Nigeria’s waters.

Since then, the menace has been tormenting waterways transportation, threatening to make navigation a nightmare.

However, NIWA, who is saddled with the responsibility of overlooking water transportation in the country, has taken it upon itself to curtail the spread of this invasive menace through its annual removal exercise to make water transport a seamless and enjoyable experience for passengers and operators.

To give vent to the fight against the menace, the present management of NIWA led by Bola Oyebamiji, has evolved a comprehensive plan to contain the imported menace.

Consequently, the Authority has kicked off a nationwide removal exercise of water hyacinth in all the littoral states of the federation.

The national exercise was kicked off on Monday, October,27th, 2025 at the Lagos office of NIWA where its Area Manager, Engr.Sarat Braimah, mobilized contractors to Ikpakodo Jetty in Ikorodu to commence the removal exercise.

Speaking at the clearing site at the Ikorodu Jetty on Monday, October 27th, 2025, Engr. Braimah disclosed that the removal exercise at the Ikpakodo Jetty will take a minimum of two months and she promised to personally monitor the progress.

According to her, the exercise, which is nationwide, will also take place in Bayelsa and other littoral states.

“The NIWA Lagos Office is here for monitoring and seeing the progress of this job” Engr Braimah began.

“Water hyacinth is an invasive aquatic weeds, causing a lot of menace on our waterways.

“It is always disturbing water transportation, navigation, fisheries, and so on and so forth on the waterways.

“You can see that we have deployed machineries here to clear the water hyacinth.It’s not just for fun. It’s for safety.

“Safety of water users. Safety of the boat owners’ boats because their boats, if allowed to navigate on this water hyacinth, will be damaged.

“Most of their engines will be condemned.

“So that is why the government sees it as giving back to them. That is to make them work on our waterways safely.

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“That is why we are clearing the water hyacinth.

” Water hyacinth doesn’t go. It comes and goes. It’s a menace that we inherited in Nigeria.

“It is a native of South America, Amazon Basin. Unfortunately, it’s coming into our country through ballast water.

“The ships, when coming to the country, they use ballast water to balance the ship.

“So in discharging this ballast water, some of them discharged with the water hyacinth.

“And since 1980, it has become a problem in our country and NIWA has come in to clear water hyacinth every year.

“This thing always come out every July, October, November, December, during the rainy season.

“So we continue to clear, we continue to clear, just so as not to have accidents or incidents on our waterways.

” A similar removal exercise is taking place in all the littoral states of the country.

” It’s going to happen next week in Balyesa in Niger Delta and in

almost all area offices of NIWA nationwide.

” But we are kicking off here in Ipakodo. We are monitoring the movements. You know, this thing moves with river currents.

“So as it’s moving, as we are seeing the menace, we are moving with it.

” The Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority(NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, has put machineries in place to make water hyacinth not to be a problem to water users.

” Because we cannot completely

eradicate it if it come, but we have to tackle it when it comes”

However, Engr. Braimah further disclosed that plan is afoot to turn the water weeds, when removed,to renewable use through a recycling process.

” About four or five years ago, six years ago, seven years ago, we were sent on a course in Wisconsin.

“I was part of the team that went from NIWA. And when we got there, we were told so many things that this weed can be use for bags, furniture and so on and so forth.

” So research is still ongoing to create a center for the use of water hyacinth” Engr. Braimah concluded.

Customs

Apapa Customs intercepts 25.5kg Cocaine on board Brazilian Ship

— hands over detained ship, seized drug to NDLEA

Funso OLOJO

The Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service has uncovered Cocaine weighing 25.5kg onboard a Brazilian ship, MV San Anthonio

The illicit drugs, packaged in 24 parcels/slabs ,were hidden in five bags found aboard the ship during customs intelligence -led checks that has resulted in the detention of the ship

Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba,Customs Area Controller for Apapa Port Command ,lauded the discovery while describing it as a fallout of the robust synergy between the NCS and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) .

According to the Area Controller, Customs intelligence discovered that upon her departure from Brazil, which is the ship’s country of origin, she had called at ports in Honduras, Guatemala and other places suspected to be hubs for illicit drug trade.

Oshoba reiterated the NCS resolve in ensuring only legitimate trade thrives in the port of Apapa in Lagos, following a zero compromise directive by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

While handing over the seized drugs to the NDLEA for further action, he also announced the detention of the vessel that came into Nigeria with the cocaine.

“What has happened today, is the outcome of profiling and intelligence -led operations by the NCS and NDLEA.

“Our resolve to prevent unlawful trade is refreshed daily following the directives of the CGC.

” This seizure and detention of the ship should send strong message of warning that should resonate in the camp of perpetrators of unlawful trade within our port system.

* Customs is strengthening its synergy with all sister government agencies and no criminal or group of lawless persons can beat us here.

” As we approach the Yuletide season, we will not sacrifice national security and economy on the altar of trade facilitation.

“All consignments exiting this port into our markets or warehouses must be duly examined with the contents ascertained to be what was declared” the CAC said.

At a brief handover ceremony,in the port,the NDLEA was represented by CN Haliru Umar, Commander, Apapa Strategic Command, who formally took over the seizure from customs

Customs

My appointment as WCO chair reflects confidence of global community in NCS reforms — Adeniyi

Funso OLOJO

The Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council, Dr Adewale Adeniyi, said his recent election signals a broader recognition of the growing reform-driven credibility of African Customs administrations, with Nigeria’s recent modernization efforts serving as a strong example of the continent’s readiness to influence global customs policies.

Speaking exclusively on WCO Global interview session, Adeniyi said the confidence expressed in him by member nations reflects not only personal honour, but also the significant progress made by Nigeria in aligning its systems, procedures, and priorities with international best practices.

Answering questions on the WCO flagship interactive forum tagged “The Customs Exchange: Conversations with Global Customs Leaders, Adeniyi who is also, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said: “It’s a kind of endorsement by the global customs community that we are on track.

” We have been undertaking reforms and modernization programmes in the last two years, and this validates the direction we are taking.” he said.

He noted that Africa’s customs landscape is rapidly changing, with several administrations leveraging WCO guidance to strengthen trade facilitation, improve revenue outcomes, and enhance border security.

Nigeria’s experience, he said, demonstrates how structured reforms, supported by international frameworks, can reposition a national customs service.

Speaking further on the Nigeria experience, Adeniyi pointed to the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme as one of the most transformative initiatives Nigeria has implemented with support from the WCO.

According to him, the scheme has reduced clearance times at ports, improved revenue performance and fostered trusted partnerships with compliant traders—outcomes that reflect the effectiveness of global standards when domesticated with commitment.

He described the SAFE Framework of Standards, the Time Release Study (TRS), and recent work on advance rulings as additional markers of how global customs programmes can change narratives, especially in developing economies.

Adeniyi also underscored the importance of the WCO as a stabilising force for customs administrations around the world, saying its ability to unify diverse countries around shared priorities—economic prosperity, national security, and environmental sustainability—makes it a unique institution.

He affirmed that his appointment as WCO is a honour for him and a recognition for the Nigeria Customs Service.

He disclosed that the Nigerian Customs administration has been undertaking some reforms and mordernisation programmes in the last two years.

“So it will also mean that this appointment is a kind of validation of the reforms that we are doing.

“It a kind of endorsement by the global Customs community that we are on track and we are aligning our priorities with that of World Customs Organisation”, he said.

On the appointment, he said, “I feel so excited. Of course, I know that it’s a very big responsibility on my part and on the part of Nigeria for us to shoulder this and provide quality leadership for the world Customs community

As the first Nigerian to hold the position in nearly two decades, Adeniyi said he is aware of the responsibility his chairmanship places on his country and the African region.

He pledged to use the platform to elevate the continent’s contributions while fostering an inclusive governance approach within the global customs system.

He encouraged member administrations to continue embracing diversity, describing it as the core strength that will enable the WCO to advance global trade and security objectives.

“Our uniqueness is our strength,” he said. “We must let this diversity continue to create opportunity and progress for us.” he noted.

Headlines

TransQuest magazine marks 20 years of excellence with awards, seminar in Lagos

Gloria Odion

The Quest Media Group, publishers of TransQuest monthly magazine and online platform Transquestng.com, is set to mark its 20th anniversary with One-Day Transport Seminar and Quest Awardees event on Saturday, December 6th, 2025, at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

Billed as part of the organisation’s event to mark its 20 years of operations, the occasion will bring together major institutions and leading figures across Nigeria’s transport and maritime ecosystem for strategic dialogue, sector evaluation, and the recognition of outstanding contributors.

With the theme “Leveraging Nigeria’s Maritime Potentials to Drive Economic Growth,” the seminar will be chaired by a renowned Transport Scholar, Professor Bamidele Badejo, while Professor Iyiola Oni of the University of Lagos will serve as the main Guest Speaker, as well as Mr. Lucky Amiwero, a renowned Maritime Consultant.

According to the convener and Publisher of TransQuest magazine, Mr. Felix Kumuyi, the anniversary event reflects two decades of undiluted, consistent, watchdog-driven reportage of the maritime and transport sector.

He noted that the seminar is deliberately structured to deliver real value to national policy conversations while strengthening collaboration among stakeholders.

The event is expected to host a powerful lineup of special guests and award recipients, including the Executive Secretary and CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Dr. Pius Akutah Ukeyima MON; the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa.

Also attending are top security and enforcement leaders such as ACG Mohammed Babandede, Coordinator of Zone A, Nigeria Customs Service; Commander of the Apapa Strategic Command of NDLEA; Prince Olayiwola Shittu (JP), CEO of Skelas Group; Mrs. Ezenwa, CEO of Le’look Nigeria Ltd and former Director at the Federal Ministry of Transport; Dr. Eugene Nweke.

Others include Alhaji Adetona Mobashir, Chairman and CEO of Only God is Wise Nigeria Ltd; Otunba Hakeem Olanrewaju, Chairman of the Customs Consultative Council; as well as Customs Area Controllers including Compt. Frank Onyeka of Tin can Command, Compt. Godwin Otunla of Murtala Mohammed Airport Command, Compt. Emmanuel Oshoba of Apapa Command, Compt. Joe Anani of PTML Command, Compt. Wale Adenuga of Seme Command, among others.

The event will feature a thought-provoking symposium, interactive discussions, and presentations of awards to organisations and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and impact in the nation’s transport and maritime sectors.

Kumuyi added that beyond honouring industry trailblazers, the ceremony aims to deepen collaboration, promote best practices, and stimulate reforms needed to unlock Nigeria’s maritime economic potential.