LASWA Partners NGO on Youth Empowerment

Akinwale Akintunde

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) in collaboration with a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), Mitimeth Recyclers, have trained over 400 riverine dwellers on how to use water hyacinth to make handicraft.

The beneficiaries of the initiative tagged, ‘ Water Hyacinth Recycling Training’ used the harvested hyacinth to make bags, plate mats, foot mats, jewellery, storage baskets, key holders, bottles, flower vase, among others.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony for beneficiaries of the training held at the Ikorodu Ferry Jetty, recently, the General Manager of LASWA, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, said the agency initiated the programme to create waste- to- wealth for youth in coastal communities.

Emmanuel, said turning waste-to-wealth is an agenda of the state government which LASWA has keyed into this to increase prosperity, while making the waterways safe for boat operators.

According to the LASWA boss, water hyacinth cannot be totally eradicated but could be controlled through harvesting into new materials and valuable products.

He described water hyacinth as one of the fastest growing weeds across the globe infesting water bodies in over 50 countries.

“This is actually amazing, I just got my key holders made of water hyacinth.

“What we saw as waste has now been turned to wealth. For me, it is mind blowing and telling us that from every problem and challenge we see, there is always an opportunity.

“It is very impressive to see how products are being made from the water hyacinth which we see as major menace from the waterways”, Emmanuel said.

Also speaking at the training graduation, which is the third edition having conducted similar training both at Epe and Badagry, Mrs. Achenyo IdachabaObaro, the Founder of the Mitimeth, said the goal was to transform this environmental menace into an economic livelihood. Idachaba-Obaro, said the NGO was poised to achieving the Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs).

According to her, the participants need market access, support and funds to grow the handicraft and contribute their quota to national development.

“So, we are taking a problem and coming out with a creative solution. We are empowering members of the community to take advantage of this resource which we have in abundance here and create ultimate livelihood for women and men.”

“By the end of the 10-day training workshop, we are able to demonstrate that these green plants that we have on waterways preventing access can actually be created into products of value.

“All these products were actually made by the trainees. We want to appreciate the Lagos State government and LASWA for believing in our commitment to this community development initiative. We are looking forward to actually taking this higher.

“There is no reason why Ikorodu cannot become a producing community that manufactures eco- friendly work”, she said.