Four communities in the three senatorial districts of Kwara State, namely Imoji in Oke Ero, Afon in Asa, Alalubosa in Ilorin East and Ambalia in Moro Local Government areas have been invaded by aquatic weeds.

The weeds reportedly covered about a hundred kilometres of water surface of Asa dam river.

Speaking with  Community News during an inspection visit to Asa dam river in Ilorin in company of other stakeholders, the chairman of Alalubosa community, Mallam Abdullahi Jubril, said the challenges confronting the community included inadequate manpower and equipment and shortage of funds to remove the aquatic weeds.

Mallam Jubril said  N20,000 was being expended  daily to remove the weeds, adding that over N100 million was required for total clearance of the weeds.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Mr. Samuel Bamisaye, said that collective efforts should be encouraged by traditional rulers to achieve total removal of the invasive aquatic weeds.

The commissioner, who was represented during the visit by    the Deputy Director (Forestry), Evangelist Timothy Oluwaponle, said it required the collaborative efforts of both the federal and state governments to put an end to the problem.

Commending the steps taken so far by the Federal Government, the commissioner said that Kwara State is one of the beneficiaries among the 22 states of the federation.

He said that the project was jointly financed by the  Federal Government and African Development Bank with the sole aim of removing the invasive aquatic weeds on Nigerian rivers which in turn would be converted to organic manure as an alternative to inorganic manure for the use of Nigerian farmers.

The commissioner  said that 20 members from each community were registered as cooperative society to convert the weeds to organic manure in order to boost farming in the area.

He, therefore, enjoined all stakeholders to join hands with the government to achieve the desired results.

Also speaking, the representative of the FG, Mr. Bakut Ayuba, appealed to the state government and other stakeholders to work tirelessly in combating the ecological disaster the weeds could cause to the dam.

He also enjoined traditional rulers in the benefiting communities to mobilise their people for total evacuation of the weeds on the river, adding that it will generate employment among teeming youths and also boost the economy of the state.