What is the objective of the Clean-Up Nigeria Inland Waterways Initiative under parts central?
The objective is very simple, but very important. We all have a stake in protecting our waterways, and we must make sure that we preserve them for ourselves and for future generations. We cannot continue doing things the way we have always done them and expect a different result. Anything that causes pollution must become a thing of the past.
This initiative is about bringing all the relevant stakeholders together and putting in place a structured system for managing waste across our inland waterways. We are working with NIWA because we believe that government alone cannot solve the problem. The private sector has a major role to play. Our commitment at Parts Central is to deploy technology, manpower and appropriate waste-management systems to ensure that our waterways are clean, safe, productive and sustainable.
What specific measures is Parts Central introducing under this initiative?
We are deploying different technologies that will enable us to identify and capture information from different areas, waterfronts, landing ports and jetties. One of the things we are going to do is ensure that every boat and watercraft operating on Nigeria’s inland waterways has an NIWA-and Parts Central-approved waste bin.
At the jetties, we will provide what we call mother bins. When boats come in and dock, the waste collected from the boats can be transferred into these larger collection points. This is important because we don’t want people dumping waste directly into the waterways. We are also looking at sorting, recycling and proper evacuation of the waste. So, it is not just about picking waste from the water. We want to establish a complete waste-management chain.
How did Parts Central arrive at this initiative?
We spent more than seven months studying the problem and trying to understand the sources of waste pollution. We wanted to know: What are the sources of the waste? What are the major causes? Who are the people contributing to the pollution? Where are these wastes coming from?
We didn’t want to come up with a solution based on assumptions. We wanted to understand the problem properly. That is why we have also deployed technology to identify some of the areas where waste is coming from. We are using the information gathered to develop a system that can identify the different jetties, communities, waterfront properties and landing ports. So, this initiative is based on research, data and proper identification of the problem.
Lagos has a very vast waterfront. Where exactly will the initiative begin?
The first step is identification and mapping. We need to know who owns the jetties, who operates in the communities, where the waterfront properties are located and who the stakeholders are in each area. Once we put these locations on our radar and map them, we will know exactly who the stakeholders are and where the waste-management challenges are located. We are not approaching Lagos waterfront as one large, undefined area. We want to break it down into identifiable locations and communities so that the intervention can be targeted. We also want to know who is responsible for different aspects of waste removal in each location.
What types of waste are you targeting?
We are looking at different forms of waste. People usually talk about debris, plastic bottles and other solid waste, but the problem is much bigger than that. We are talking about biodegradable waste and other forms of waste generated by waterfront communities and water transport operators. We also have to address human waste. What happens when people throw excreta into the water? What happens when sewage is discharged into the waterways? These are serious issues that cannot be ignored. So, when we say clean-up, we are talking about a comprehensive approach to waste and pollution management, not just removing visible plastics from the surface of the water.
What role will jetties play in the programme?
Jetties are very important because they are major points where people and boats interact with the waterways. That is why we are mapping the jetties and identifying their owners and operators. We want every jetty to have a proper waste-collection system. The mother bins will serve as collection points where waste from boats can be deposited. The idea is to make it easier for boat operators to do the right thing. If you tell a boat operator not to dump waste in the water but you don’t provide an alternative, enforcement becomes difficult. We want to provide that alternative.
How will the waste collected from the waterways eventually be disposed of?
There are different methods of evacuation, depending on the type and volume of waste. Once we establish the collection points, we will have a system for sorting the waste and moving it through the appropriate channels. The objective is not to simply move waste from the water to another location where it becomes another environmental problem. We want to sort the waste, identify materials that can be recycled and ensure that the different categories are handled appropriately. That is why we describe the initiative as a waste-to-wealth programme.
How will you ensure that the initiative is sustained beyond the launch?
Sustainability is very important to us. This is not a one-day clean-up exercise. It is not something we are doing today and abandoning tomorrow. We have spent more than seven months preparing for this, and we are looking at a long-term partnership with NIWA. The technology we are deploying will help us continuously monitor the situation and identify areas where waste is being generated. We also need the communities to take ownership. The traditional rulers, community leaders, boat operators and residents must understand that this initiative is not just about helping government. We are helping them. If we have cleaner waterways, we will have cleaner communities. If we reduce pollution, we improve the environment in which these communities live and operate.
Is this a one-off partnership between Parts Central and NIWA?
No. This is going to be a long-term partnership, by God’s grace. It is a 10-year contract and it is renewable upon expiration. We understand that the problem cannot be solved in one day. It requires continuous monitoring, collection, enforcement, education and community participation. Our intention is to work with NIWA and other stakeholders over the long term to create a system that can be sustained.
What role do you expect government agencies such as LAWMA to play?
Every agency has a role to play. For instance, in Lagos State, the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has responsibilities relating to waste management, including waste on the waterways. But sometimes, the volume of work can be overwhelming. That is where the private sector can come in to support government. We are not coming to take over the responsibilities of existing agencies. We are coming to complement their efforts. We need to work together because this is a very large problem.
Will there be enforcement against indiscriminate dumping?
There has to be enforcement, but enforcement must be supported by a proper system. You cannot simply tell people not to dump waste without giving them a practical alternative. That is why we are providing waste bins on boats and mother bins at jetties. Once those systems are in place, there will be greater accountability. Our enforcement approach will also be different because we have information about the different locations and stakeholders. Technology will help us know where the problems are coming from and where intervention is required.