The Lagos State Government, through its Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, has promised to take stronger action against illegal dredging, which is causing serious damage to communities in the state.
While speaking to staff at the state secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, said that communities need to help in the fight against this growing problem. His comments came ahead of a Waterfront Summit planned for September.
This was shared in a statement released by the ministry’s spokesperson, Akodu Morenikeji, on Wednesday.
The commissioner warned that people who support or take part in illegal dredging are actually harming themselves. He said the damage caused by illegal dredging—social, environmental, and economic—would end up affecting everyone, including those involved.
Alebiosu called illegal dredging a “silent destroyer” of coastal and river communities. He said it leads to faster erosion, increases flooding, kills fish, and destroys the businesses of people who rely on water for their living, especially in places like Makoko.
He added that the damage from illegal dredging cannot be ignored. That is why the Lagos government is planning a summit where people from riverine areas, government bodies, community leaders, environmental experts, and private companies can come together to find long-term solutions.
The commissioner said the summit will allow everyone to talk, share ideas, and come up with real plans to protect Lagos’ waterfronts now and in the future.
