Lagos clamps down on illegal dredging
The Lagos State government has intensified its efforts to curb illegal reclamation and dredging activities along the shores of the Lagos Lagoon, carrying out a major monitoring and enforcement exercise across the Lekki axis. The operation was a collaboration between the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the […]
The Lagos State government has intensified its efforts to curb illegal reclamation and dredging activities along the shores of the Lagos Lagoon, carrying out a major monitoring and enforcement exercise across the Lekki axis.
The operation was a collaboration between the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, and the Lands Bureau.
The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, led the team in sealing off a building at 13A, Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1. The property was found to be engaging in illegal reclamation works across the lagoon and had an unauthorized extension of its fence without approval from relevant State agencies.
Alebiosu condemned the actions, describing them as an act of “legendary audacity” carried out with blatant disregard for the law.
“This particular building has been sealed on several occasions by all the relevant ministries dating from last year up till now, yet the owners have continued with construction and social activities without any form of regard. We are back today with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Ministry of the Environment and Drainage Services,” he said.
He further disclosed that the State Government will prosecute the offenders, a process which may lead to the forfeiture of the illegally reclaimed land. The sand recovered will be diverted for other productive uses.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning, Dr. Olumide Oluyinka, said his Ministry visited the property a year ago, where the owner presented a layout of sqm but has since extended it far beyond what was presented, now totaling sqm.