Lagos State warns in opposition to unlawful dredging in coastal areas

The Lagos State Commissioner for the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Improvement, Hon. Ekundayo Alebiosu, has raised considerations over the uncontrolled dredging actions in Lagos’ coastal areas.

Dredging is the method of extracting sources like sand and gravel for building from the underside of water our bodies corresponding to rivers, lakes, lagoons, or seas

The Commissioner issued this warning throughout a current stakeholder discussion board held on the Ministry in Alausa, the place he emphasised the environmental and infrastructural dangers of unsanctioned dredging practices.

Hon. Alebiosu cautioned that improper dredging might lead to extreme ecological and infrastructural harm. Highlighting the depletion of sand reserves within the Lagoon

“There are far higher penalties to indiscriminate dredging than what seems on the floor. We threat saltwater intrusion into the lagoon, which is detrimental to the aquatic ecosystem, significantly fish species.

“Moreover, unauthorised reclamation actions might compromise the State’s Grasp plan. All reclamation tasks should first be permitted by the Ministry of Bodily Planning and City Improvement to make sure compliance with regulatory requirements.”

He defined that the disruption of aquatic life and the ecological steadiness might have long-term repercussions for the state’s shoreline, infrastructure, and concrete planning efforts.

Sensitisation and regulatory measures

• The Commissioner emphasised the pressing want for public training on the risks of unapproved dredging and introduced plans for intensified enforcement in 2025 to safeguard the Lagoon’s pure sources and aquatic life.
• He famous that the Ministry would collaborate with related companies to implement stricter penalties and be certain that all reclamation and dredging tasks align with the State’s city improvement objectives.
• Drawing parallels with worldwide eventualities, Hon. Alebiosu pointed to the challenges confronted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which now imports sand from Australia because of the depletion of its pure reserves. He warned that Lagos might encounter comparable points if dredging actions stay unchecked.

“We should impose stiffer penalties on perpetrators of unlawful dredging. Lots of them lack understanding of the long-term penalties of their actions. With stricter enforcement measures, we are able to deter such practices and encourage compliance,” he added.

Waterfront infrastructure improvement

In a bid to raise Lagos’ waterfront infrastructure to world requirements, Hon. Alebiosu unveiled plans to modernize the state’s jetties and develop new vacationer points of interest.

“Vital steps are being taken to modernize our jetties. The intention is to present them a extra up to date and visually interesting design that may enhance tourism and complement Lagos’ standing as a metropolitan metropolis,” Alebiosu acknowledged.

He revealed that Lagos is engaged on its first-ever Lagoon-Entrance Seashore, a undertaking designed to draw world vacationers and compete with locations corresponding to The Gambia. He additionally assured that the revamped jetties would characteristic up to date designs to reinforce their aesthetic attraction and performance.