Lagos Vows To Protect Its Coastal Areas

The Lagos State Government has arrested four Chinese nationals and 16 others for operating illegal dredging sites in various waterfronts in Ibeju-Lekki and Eti-Osa Local Government Areas of the State.

The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure, Arc. Ahmed Kabiru Abdullahi, who led the enforcement team, disclosed that the Chinese nationals were arrested for causing huge degradation to the State environment as well as eroding the shorelines of Lagos.

He said the individuals were arrested on-site at Eputu and Bogije for illegal dredging and industrial activities such as tug-boats manufacturing without regards to the State law on dredging activities.

According to the Commissioner, the State is losing huge revenue daily from the activities of these illegal dredgers as well as infrastructural structure destruction, particularly in the area of roads.

He vowed that the State Government will not fold its arms and allow the illegal operators to degrade the environment and endanger the lives and property of law-abiding citizens of the State.

The Commissioner and his team also visited some other illegal dredging sites at Langbasa and Ebute Sangotedo where illegal dredging facilities were sealed and operators found on-site apprehended.

Arc. Abdullahi, therefore, advised all dredging operators in the State to visit the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development to obtain the necessary approvals and regularise their papers to enable them to operate within the law of the State, stressing that those arrested have already been charged to Court for necessary prosecution.

Others in the enforcement team included the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Olawale Agoro and the Chairman, Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Taskforce), CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi.