NIWA, Parts Central Unveil Nationwide Inland Waterways Clean-Up Initiative in Lagos

Project targets pollution, creates jobs and unlocks new opportunities under Nigeria’s Blue Economy

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), in partnership with Parts Central Limited, is set to unveil a major initiative aimed at tackling pollution and indiscriminate waste disposal across Nigeria’s inland waterways.

The initiative will be officially unveiled on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at BIC Garden, Lagos, with government officials, maritime stakeholders, private-sector operators and other key players expected to attend.

The project was conceived as a comprehensive environmental intervention designed to identify major sources of pollution within the inland waterways and establish structured systems for waste removal, management and conversion into economic value.

According to the organisers, the initiative is expected to go beyond environmental clean-up by creating employment opportunities for communities living along Nigeria’s waterways while promoting sustainable economic activities.

The programme is also expected to improve the navigability of inland waterways by removing debris, refuse and other pollution-related obstructions that pose challenges to water transportation.

Another major objective of the initiative is the protection of aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. By reducing pollution and waste in the waterways, the project is expected to support the conservation of aquatic life and strengthen Nigeria’s fisheries economy.

The initiative was developed in collaboration with Parts Central Limited under the leadership of the immediate past Managing Director of NIWA, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, who is currently the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate in Osun State.

The project aligns with the Federal Government’s broader efforts to maximise the economic potential of Nigeria’s maritime resources under the Blue Economy agenda.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, has consistently advocated the development of Nigeria’s waterways beyond their traditional role in transportation, stressing their potential to contribute to economic diversification, employment generation and sustainable development.

The Lagos unveiling is expected to provide stakeholders with detailed information about the initiative, its objectives and the potential benefits to communities, businesses and the wider maritime sector.

In a joint statement, NIWA Lagos Area Manager, Engr. Sarat Braimah, and Managing Director of Parts Central Limited, Henry Olaoluwa Onifade, said the event is intended to brief stakeholders on the importance of the project and secure their support and participation.

They emphasised that the success of the initiative would require collaboration among government agencies, private-sector organisations, waterfront communities, environmental groups and other stakeholders.

The partners expressed optimism that the programme would contribute to cleaner waterways, improved navigation, increased economic activities and stronger environmental protection.

They added that converting recovered waste into economic value would also help promote a circular economy while providing new livelihood opportunities for Nigerians.

The initiative is therefore expected to serve as an important step towards making Nigeria’s inland waterways cleaner, safer and more productive, while supporting the country’s broader vision of using the Blue Economy as a driver of sustainable economic growth.