…issues stop work order
…arrests suspected operators
The Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development has clamped down on illegal dredgers and ordered them to stop work immediately.
This move was aimed at curbing environmental degradation and promoting sustainable development across the waterfront schemes located across the coastal regions of the metropolis.
The enforcement exercise, which was led by the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon Ekundayo Alebiosu, accompanied members of the agency raided several illegal dredging sites in the state which were shut down on the arrival of the team.
Some of the suspected dredging operators were arrested and stop-work orders were served on erring dredgers for non-compliance with laid down regulations of the State Government.
The commissioner warned that failure to comply with extant laws guiding dredging activities could have dire effects and would result in severe penalties, including total closure of the sites.
Alebiosu noted that dredgers are major cause of environmental degradation in the state, apart from erosion and flooding.
He emphasized the need for dredging activities to be conducted lawfully to preserve roads, public infrastructure, and wetlands.
He explained that Government has vowed to streamline the activities of dredgers in the state to meet acceptable international standards.
“The State Government's clampdown on illegal dredgers is a significant step towards protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development in the state.
We will continue to carry out surveillance and raids across the coastal areas to ensure that the activities of a few don’t impact the lives of law abiding citizens negatively”. Alebiosu stated.
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