The Lagos State Government on Thursday issued a grave warning about the rapidly deteriorating state of the Lagos Lagoon, describing the situation as an impending environmental and social catastrophe unless urgent action is taken.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, on the forthcoming Maiden Lagos State Waterfront Summit, holding on September 11 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, underscored the urgency of addressing the challenges threatening the state’s lagoon and waterfronts.
He said the maiden Lagos State Waterfront Summit, themed “Pressure on the Lagoon: The Lagos Experience”, is designed to spotlight the increasing pressures on Lagos’ lagoon, stimulate informed conversations, and generate sustainable solutions.
The Commissioner also reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to preserving the state’s waterfronts, noting that the summit would mark a turning point in Lagos’ approach to waterfront management.
Hon. Alebiosu revealed that coastal erosion has already swept away some Lagos coastal communities, including Idotun Village in Ibeju-Lekki, displacing families and destroying livelihoods. He noted that this challenge is not unique to Lagos alone, citing Keta Municipality in Ghana as another West African coastal area currently battling similar devastating erosion.
“Coastal erosion is a regional problem with global implications. Lagos must take urgent steps to safeguard its communities, infrastructure, and economy. The Lagos State Government has initiated collaboration with the Netherlands, a country renowned for its expertise in coastal and water management, to find lasting and innovative solutions,” he said.
Speaking on the issue of illegal dredging, Hon. Alebiosu disclosed that about 10,625 cubic metres of sand are dredged daily in Lagos, warning that unchecked activities could destabilise the ecosystem, damage aquatic habitats, and endanger waterfront settlements.
He said his ministry, in order to address the challenges, is working on a comprehensive bathymetric and hydrographic survey to determine over-dredged and under-dredged areas, with locations such as Ibeshe already identified as heavily impacted by illegal dredging activities.
Beyond tackling challenges, the Commissioner also emphasised the importance of harnessing the vast economic and social potentials of the lagoon, explaining that the lagoon, if properly managed, can serve as a hub for transportation, tourism, fisheries, and trade, creating jobs and boosting livelihoods for Lagosians.
Hon. Alebiosu stressed that these pressing realities necessitated the invitation of experts and professionals across multiple fields to the forthcoming summit, noting that their insights and recommendations will be valuable in charting practical solutions to salvage, restore, and sustainably manage the lagoon.
He said: “The Lagos Lagoon is under intense pressure from both human-driven and climate-related factors. Without urgent and coordinated intervention, this vital ecosystem and the communities it supports may be lost forever.
“The lagoon has become one of Africa’s most polluted ecosystems, with over 10,000 cubic metres of industrial waste discharged into it daily. These effluents, originating largely from oil, textile, and manufacturing sectors, contain hazardous heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead, and nickel.
“The lagoon is not just a body of water; it is our heritage, our economy, and our future. This summit is a call to action for Lagosians, experts, and stakeholders to work together in protecting it before it is too late.”
In his opening remarks the Permanent Secretary Supervising the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, restated Lagos State Government’s commitment to putting in place urgent measures and intervention to address illegal dredging to forestall the lagoon’s environmental and social collapse.
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