Lagos Govt Raises Alarm Over Indiscriminate Dredging

Lagos State government has raised the alarm over the growing dangers associated with indiscriminate dredging activities across the state, warning that the increasing scarcity and high cost of sand could trigger wider economic, environmental, and food security challenges if urgent measures are not taken.

The commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Bush Alebiosu, disclosed this while presenting his account of stewardship over the last two years to journalists at the annual ministerial press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre.

According to the commissioner, while dredging remains essential for development and land reclamation projects, the growing desperation for sand across Lagos is already exposing the dangers of over-exploitation of the state’s waterways and coastal resources.

Alebiosu noted that developers carrying out reclamation projects in the Lekki-Ajah axis now source sand from communities as far as Ikorodu, sometimes pumping sand across distances of up to 10 to 12 kilometres due to depletion in closer locations.

“For me, it confirms my fears. If you are reclaiming land in Ajah and you now have to pump sand from Ikorodu, it means the sand resources within Ajah are gradually running out.”

He warned that the development points to mounting pressure on available sand deposits across the state and underscores the urgent need for accurate data and stricter regulation of dredging activities.

The commissioner stressed that the state government is becoming increasingly cautious in issuing dredging licences and permits because of the need to properly understand how much sand is being extracted daily, how many operators are involved, and the volume of sand still available in various locations.

“We need proper data. We need to know how many people are dredging, how much sand is being dredged daily, and what is left within those areas,” he stated.

Beyond environmental implications, Alebiosu warned that rising sand scarcity could significantly increase construction and infrastructure delivery costs in Lagos, thereby putting additional pressure on housing and development costs.

He also linked indiscriminate dredging to threats against food security, particularly within fishing communities whose livelihoods depend on healthy aquatic ecosystems.

According to him, aggressive dredging activities disrupt aquatic microorganisms and marine habitats, forcing fishermen to travel farther and spend more resources before making catches.

“It is putting food security at risk,” the commissioner said. “We are encouraging people to consume more protein, such as fish, but whenever dredging disturbs aquatic life, fishermen are forced to work harder, and naturally, the cost of fish goes up.”