Tank Farm Owners Deny Polluting Lagos Waterways

Tank farm owners in Lagos have refuted claims made by Sarat Braimah, the Lagos Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), regarding their role in polluting the state’s waterways. During the unveiling of Parts Central Limited as a partner in a new NIWA-led waterways cleanup initiative, Braimah identified tank farms, ship ballast discharge, and waste from waterfront communities as significant contributors to pollution.

She highlighted that areas around Kirikiri have become visibly polluted due to industrial waste discharge from tank farms, contrasting with the naturally blue waters found elsewhere. Braimah emphasized the importance of the cleanup initiative for unlocking the blue economy and reducing environmental degradation.

She called for proper waste disposal practices from fishermen, dredgers, and waterfront developers, particularly regarding recyclable plastic waste. The initiative aims to ensure Nigeria's inland waterways remain clean and safe for navigation, which could also generate youth employment and alleviate social tensions.