Lagos tightens crackdown on illegal dredging, coastal degradation

Environment

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to combat illegal dredging and coastal degradation through stricter monitoring, enhanced community engagement and science-driven interventions aimed at protecting the state’s 187-kilometre coastline.

Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Ekundayo Bush-Alebiosu, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the Head of Lagos Operations of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, and members of her management team.

Bush-Alebiosu said the ministry was working closely with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to safeguard coastal communities, preserve critical infrastructure and ensure sustainable development along Lagos’ extensive waterfront.

According to him, illegal dredging remains one of the most significant threats to the state’s coastline, aquatic ecosystem and economic activities.

“Illegal dredging can hardly take place without the knowledge of some members of the host communities,” he said.

“We will continue to enlighten residents, carry out advocacy campaigns and engage stakeholders on the dangers of these activities.”

The commissioner noted that while some residents aid perpetrators of illegal dredging, others have provided valuable intelligence that has helped the government identify and shut down unlawful operations.

He stressed the importance of adopting evidence-based solutions to address the growing challenge of coastal erosion.

“You must first understand the problem before prescribing a solution,” Bush-Alebiosu said.

“We must understand the specific causes of erosion before implementing long-term interventions.”

As part of efforts to develop sustainable shoreline protection measures, the commissioner disclosed that the state government had engaged Dutch consultancy firm CDR International to conduct detailed studies on coastal erosion and shoreline management.

“We are currently concluding a pre-feasibility study that will point us in the right direction,” he said.

Bush-Alebiosu observed that coastal erosion is a global challenge and not unique to Lagos, noting that several countries along the West African coastline are grappling with similar environmental threats.

He also expressed concern over the impact of indiscriminate dredging on marine life and fishing activities.

“The more the seabed is disturbed, the further the fish migrate,” he said.

“The farther fishermen have to travel to catch fish, the more expensive fish becomes for consumers.”

The commissioner revealed that surveillance operations against illegal dredging had been strengthened, while enforcement activities had been expanded to address other emerging challenges along the state’s coastal corridors.

He said the government was also tackling concerns over the activities of scavengers and illegal settlers along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

According to him, the ministry is collaborating with physical planning authorities, security agencies and relevant task forces to intensify monitoring and enforcement along the corridor.

“The solution is consistency and sustained enforcement,” he said.

Bush-Alebiosu further highlighted the state’s commitment to innovative waterfront infrastructure development, including the deployment of floating concrete jetties and partnerships aimed at developing modern waterfront estates.

He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to protect waterfront communities, preserve investments and unlock the economic potential of Lagos’ coastal assets through sustainable management and strategic partnerships.

Earlier, Omowole said NAN remained committed to providing credible content for media organisations across the country while serving as a key platform for communicating government policies, programmes and initiatives to the public.

She noted that the agency’s extensive network of state, district and foreign offices gives it a broad national and international reach.