The Lagos State Government has taken stronger measures, including stricter monitoring, community engagement and science-driven interventions. to combat illegal dredging and coastal degradation across its 187km coastline.
The state Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mr Ekundayo Bush-Alebiosu, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to him by the Head of Lagos Operations of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, on Thursday.
Bush-Alebiosu said the ministry was working closely with relevant agencies and other stakeholders to safeguard the state’s coastline and ensure sustainable development.
According to him, illegal dredging remains a major threat to coastal communities, fisheries and critical waterfront infrastructure.
He said that illegal dredging would hardly take place without the knowledge of some community members.
“We will continue to enlighten residents, carry out advocacy campaigns and engage stakeholders on the dangers of these activities,” he said.
The commissioner noted that while some Lagos residents aided perpetrators, others provided useful information that helped the government to identify and curb illegal operations on coastlines.
He said the government was adopting evidence-based approaches to address coastal erosion.
“You must first understand the problem before prescribing a solution.
“We must understand the specific causes of erosion before implementing long-term interventions,” the commissioner said.
He said that Lagos State Government had engaged a Dutch consultancy firm, CDR International, to conduct studies that would guide its future shoreline protection projects.
“We are currently concluding a pre-feasibility study that will point us in the right direction,” he said.
Bush-Alebiosu said that coastal erosion was not peculiar to Lagos, noting that several countries on the West African coast were facing a similar challenge.
