Posted on June 25, 2025
The Lagos State government has announced a crackdown on illegal sand dredging and unapproved land reclamation activities, warning that such operations are threatening the state’s delicate aquatic ecosystems and infrastructure.
The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Ekundayo Alebiosu, expressed deep concern over the environmental degradation caused by both local and foreign companies engaging in unlawful dredging and land reclamation.
He described the state’s water bodies as vital natural assets that do more than enhance the city’s aesthetics.
Alebiosu warned that persistent human activities, especially pollution, and illegal dredging have placed immense pressure on Lagos’ waters.
His words: “The Lagoons were not treated as they should.We saw a lot of people reclaiming anyhow. We saw illegal dredging activities.”
He stressed that unapproved dredging poses risks such as saltwater intrusion, which could severely damage fish habitats and disrupt the ecological balance of the lagoon system. There are far greater consequences to indiscriminate dredging than what appears on the surface. It could deplete sand reserves and destabilize our infrastructure efforts, he noted.
”We are focused on improving reclamation and dealing projects that were carried out as far back as 2015.There was a particular one that was terminated and came back to the table. We resolved the issues that led to the termination. Hence we will be involved in direct monitoring of the project. We insist on following the Lagos State Assembly Laws on Water fronts,” he said.
Alebiosu called for strict adherence to regulatory approvals, noting that all reclamation projects must receive clearance from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
In addition to enforcement, the state plans to intensify public sensitisation campaigns to educate residents on the dangers of unregulated dredging and reclamation.
The commissioner also revealed that the government will soon convene a summit focused on waterfront challenges, with the aim of upgrading Lagos’ waterfront infrastructure to international standards. According to him, the summit will feature talks on coastal erosion, land reclamation, waterfront development, among others.
A central objective of the summit, he emphasised, is to advance the state’s public private partnership(PPP) agenda—anchored by partnerships between government and private sector. As Lagos navigates the complex intersection of development, environment, and social equity, he continued that the Waterfront Summit could serve as a turning point—marking a shift from reactive fixes and individual projects to a coordinated, long-term watershed plan for the metropolis’s future.
“ It will help us even in the area of defining our policies. We have put standards in place. It is not going to be business as usual. Some of the functions we have lost, we have regained practically. There is a need for a turnaround to spur progress in the space,” he said.
As part of its renewed enforcement efforts, he emphasised that any unauthorised land reclamation will attract serious penalties. According to him, property owners who build on illegally reclaimed land risk losing half of their land to the state, in addition to financial sanctions. Similarly, properties encroaching on state waterways may be forfeited entirely.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to sustainable development and the preservation of its marine environment.
“We will continue spreading the message until our water bodies are spared from harm,” he said. “This is not just about policy—it’s about preserving our environment and future.”
