Lagos raises alarm over indiscriminate dredging, sand scarcity
Lagos State Raises Concern Over Indiscriminate Dredging Activities
The Lagos State Government has expressed growing concerns regarding the detrimental effects of indiscriminate dredging across the state. Officials warn that escalating sand shortages and rising costs could pose significant economic, environmental, and food security challenges if not effectively managed.
Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Bush Alebiosu, made this announcement during an annual ministerial press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre. He acknowledged the critical role of dredging in land reclamation and large-scale construction projects, but emphasized that increased demand for sand is exerting considerable pressure on the state’s waterways and coastal resources.
Alebiosu noted that developers involved in reclamation projects along the Lekki-Ajah corridor are increasingly sourcing sand from communities in Ikorodu, as nearby deposits are becoming depleted. He reported that sand is now being transported over distances of 10 to 12 kilometers to meet construction needs in various parts of Lagos.
The commissioner expressed the need for comprehensive data on dredging activities, including the number of operators, daily extraction volumes, and remaining sand reserves in affected areas. He stated that the state government is exercising greater caution in issuing dredging licenses and permits to enhance regulation in the sector.
Alebiosu cautioned that diminishing sand supplies could lead to a significant rise in construction and infrastructure costs, exacerbating housing and development expenses throughout the state. He also linked uncontrolled dredging to risks for food security, particularly for riverine and fishing communities dependent on healthy aquatic ecosystems.
Excessive dredging, according to Alebiosu, disrupts marine habitats and affects local fish populations, making fishing more arduous and costly for fishermen. “We encourage residents to consume more protein sources, but dredging disturbances increase operational challenges for fishermen, thereby inflating fish prices,” he stated.
The commissioner also revealed that some host communities have begun to experience infrastructural damage as a result of heavy equipment movement and intensified commercial dredging activities. He cited Ibese as one community facing deteriorating roads and damaged public infrastructure linked to these operations.
Alebiosu reiterated that the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development is the designated authority for regulating sand dredging and dealing activities in Lagos State. He mentioned collaboration with other government bodies, notably the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, to combat illegal dredging through monitoring and enforcement.
The commissioner commended residents who report illegal dredging but criticized some locals for allegedly facilitating such activities. “We cannot place all the blame on foreign operators. We must consider how they gained access to these areas, which often involves local complicity,” Alebiosu remarked.
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regulations governing dredging to safeguard waterfront communities, protect the environment, and ensure sustainable utilization of natural resources throughout the state.
