Residents of Ekpan in Uvwie Local Government Area have expressed their distress over the complete takeover of the Ekpan River by water hyacinth.
The invasive plant has densely populated the river, leading to significant concerns about its impact on the local environment and livelihoods.
Remarkably, this issue has persisted for over a decade. Residents and commuters, who spoke with our correspondent during a media chat over the weekend, expressed their discontent with the situation.
A resident of Ekpan, Ekeruche Otunuya lamented that the proliferation of water hyacinth has affected fishing and marine activities in the river. He reminisced about a time when the river supported thriving fishing operations, questioning why the government has seemingly ignored this pressing problem.
Jacob Uche echoed these concerns, highlighting that the river is no longer suitable for domestic use. He pointed out that the rampant growth of weeds has rendered it inaccessible for residents who previously relied on it for various domestic purposes. “Dredgers no longer operate in the Ekpan River due to this troubling situation,” he added. Both residents urged the relevant authorities to take action to restore the Ekpan River by removing the water hyacinth, making it usable once again for the community.
