Boat operators operating on the nation’s inland waterways, yesterday, lamented that huge presence of water hycinth and wrecks on the nation’s inland waterways is damaging their craft.
Though, the Lagos Area Office of NIWA has claimed to have removed wrecks on the inland waterways, but operators still lament presence of wreck, which they say is affecting safe navigation especially during high tide period.
However, in an exclusive chat with LEADERSHIP, the presidents, Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Ganiyu Tarzan and Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association Of Nigeria (WABOTAN), Tope Fajemirokun, urged government to remove debris from the inland waterways.
According to them, the debris, is damaging their craft and making them accrue huge operating cost.
Speaking, the national president ATBOWATON, said, “I went to Badore by boat because of traffic and on my way going to Badore, there are little water Hycinth but while returning, water has moved the water hycinth to the middle of the water and it’s affecting our business not only mine but majority of boat operators are affected and the unfortunate thing is that it has been coming for a long time since the 80’s and still coming now I think something should have been done by now.
“In fact, two to three of our boats have been damaged now because of the water hyacinth which leads to over heating because the engine dosen’t have enough water to cool the engine. Right now, my company has two engines we are working on and if you go to Badore now, you will see boats that engines are no longer because of water hyacinth and will cost us several millions of naira to repair,” he stated.
The president of WABOTAN, Tope Fajemirokun, also urged NIWA to remove encumbrances from the waterways before they lead to accident.
Fajemirokun, said buoys that served as navigational aides are not well positioned on the Lagos Waterways.
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-person-sits-in-front-of-a-waterfall-right-a-beach-in-anticosti-island-quebec.jpg?id=59811156&width=1200&height=600&coordinates=0%2C29%2C0%2C30"/><br/><br/><p>Nicknamed "la belle province," Quebec has no shortage of <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/quebec-road-trips" target="_blank">enchanting road trip destinations</a>. From the towering peaks of Mont-Tremblant to the cliffs of Gaspé, and the cobblestone charm of Montreal and Quebec City, the province is a <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/14-breathtaking-quebec-national-parks-you-can-road-trip-to-this-summer#rebelltitem11" target="_blank">playground for nature lovers</a> and culture seekers alike.</p><p>But tucked away in the Côte‑Nord, L'île d'Anticosti is a lesser-known gem that feels like its own little world — or rather, a massive one. It's Quebec's largest island, and arguably one of its most magical.</p><p>Here are just a few elements that make this place worthy of a spot on your bucket list. </p><h3>Incredible views</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWd1hfVL-l1/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWd1hfVL-l1/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Anticosti's scenery will stop you in your tracks. The 7,943 square-kilometre island is absolutely massive — even bigger than Prince Edward Island — but with only a few hundred residents, most of it feels wild, wide open, and untouched. </p><p>From the soaring limestone cliffs along the north shore to hidden emerald-green rivers that wind through dense forest, Anticosti is a dream for anyone who loves raw, dramatic landscapes.</p><p>You can soak in the views at Pointe Nord Lighthouse, where the sea stretches far in every direction, or <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/parks/canada/quebec/parc-national-danticosti?ref=result-card" target="_blank">hike trails</a> to an endless number of lookout points. </p><h3>Waterfalls and secret caves</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkd-KA6nIFH/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkd-KA6nIFH/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>The island is home to dozens of natural caves and waterfalls, many hidden away in rugged, untouched terrain. <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/quebec/belvedere-de-la-chute-vaureal" target="_blank">V</a><a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/quebec/belvedere-de-la-chute-vaureal" target="_blank">auréal Falls</a> — a dramatic 76-metre cascade that actually stands taller than Niagara Falls — is an undenibale showstopper.</p><p>Nearby, the <a href="https://www.sentiersdelacote.ca/canyon-brick#:~:text=Acc%C3%A8s,secondaires%20allant%20vers%20le%20sud." target="_blank">Rivière du Brick Canyon</a> offers a totally different vibe: emerald-green pools tucked between steep rock walls, perfect for a scenic swim (when conditions are right).</p><p>If you're after something calmer, the Chicotte River has crystal-clear, temperate water and peaceful forest views, which are ideal for a quick dip and a moment of quiet.</p><p>And for those craving underground adventure, Potato Cave (Grotte à la Patate) is one of Quebec's longest caves, stretching over 600 metres through rock carved by ancient rivers. You can explore it on your own with helmet and headlamp rentals available at the nearby <a href="https://www.sepaq.com/sepaq-anticosti/vacances-ete/annexes/sejour-chalet-camping-mcdonald.dot?language_id=1" target="_blank">McDonald Visitors Centre</a>.</p><h3>Wildlife</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUxgjCHFE7u/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUxgjCHFE7u/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>One of the island's quirks is that deer outnumber people by a ratio of more than 500 to one. But with only about 250 full-time residents, that stat isn't as shocking as it sounds.</p><p>Anticosti is home to <a href="https://www.quebecmaritime.ca/en/blog/wildlife-in-the-spotlight-throughout-quebec-maritime-national-parks?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">approximately 115,000 white-tail deer</a>. The species was introduced to the area in the late 1800s, and with no natural predators around, they now roam freely across the island. Spotting them is almost guaranteed, especially at dawn and dusk.</p><p>You might also encounter foxes, beavers, seals, and over 200 species of birds, making it a paradise for wildlife photographers and nature lovers.</p><h3>A World Heritage Site</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0GwFJgILs2/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=a3c6cfab-71c1-447e-a07e-bb0f5bc92a12" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0GwFJgILs2/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=a3c6cfab-71c1-447e-a07e-bb0f5bc92a12" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Anticosti Island <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/parks-canada/news/2023/09/anticosti-inscribed-on-unescos-world-heritage-list.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">officially joined the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023</a>, earning recognition as one of <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/top-unesco-world-heritage-sites-canada" target="_blank">Canada's most extraordinary natural sites</a>. Beyond its cliffs, caves, and remote beauty, the island preserves an incredible window into Earth's ancient past with the most complete fossil record of marine life from a mass extinction that occurred about 440 million years ago.</p><p>Thousand-year-old fossils are embedded in the flat coastal rock, including rare soft-bodied species that are almost never found preserved. While scientists travel from around the world to study them, many of these fossils are visible to anyone walking along the shoreline.</p><p>So don't be surprised if you casually stumble across a piece of prehistory while taking in the views.</p><h3>How to get there</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl8GzMzhntc/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=27f3131f-9e17-48db-99a2-9b6fb1f09a33" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl8GzMzhntc/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=27f3131f-9e17-48db-99a2-9b6fb1f09a33" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Getting to Anticosti isn't as easy as hopping in the car and heading north, but its remoteness is part of the charm. </p><p>You can fly from Montreal or Quebec City with regional airlines like <a href="https://www.tourismecote-nord.com/en/air-liaison/air-services/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">Air Liaison</a>, which offers regular flights to Port-Menier, the island's main village. </p><p>During the summer months, the <a href="https://relaisnordik.com/en/schedules-and-fares/" target="_blank">Relais Nordik ferry</a> operates from the North Shore, providing a scenic route to the island.</p><p>Most visitors choose to stay at the <a href="https://www.quebecmaritime.ca/en/company/sepaq-anticosti/lodging" target="_blank">Sépaq Anticosti lodge</a>, opt for rustic cabins, or bring their own camping gear to fully immerse themselves in Anticosti's natural beauty.</p><p><em>Before you get going, check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/responsible-travel-guidelines" target="_blank">Responsible Travel Guide</a> so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.</em></p>
