The Lagos State Government has taken stronger measures, including stricter monitoring, community engagement and science-driven interventions to combat illegal dredging and coastal degradation across its 187km coastline.
The state Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Ekundayo Bush-Alebiosu, during a courtesy visit to him by the Head of Lagos Operations of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mrs. Ifeyinwa Omowole, said that the ministry is working closely with relevant agencies and other stakeholders to safeguard the state’s coastline and ensure sustainable development.
According to him, illegal dredging remains a major threat to coastal communities, fisheries and critical waterfront infrastructure.
He said that illegal dredging would hardly take place without the knowledge of some community members
“We will continue to enlighten residents, carry out advocacy campaigns and engage stakeholders on the dangers of these activities.”
The commissioner noted that while some Lagos residents aided perpetrators, others provided useful information that helped the government to identify and curb illegal operations on coastlines.
He said that government is adopting evidence-based approaches to address coastal erosion.
“You must first understand the problem before prescribing a solution.
“We must understand the specific causes of erosion before implementing long-term interventions.”
The Commissioner said that the State Government has engaged a Dutch consultancy firm, CDR International, to conduct studies that would guide its future shoreline protection projects.
“We are currently concluding a pre-feasibility study that will point us in the right direction.”
Bush-Alebiosu said that coastal erosion is not peculiar to Lagos, noting that several countries on the West African coast are facing a similar challenge.
He expressed concern over the impact of indiscriminate dredging on the aquatic ecosystem and fish populations.
“The more the seabed is disturbed, the further the fish migrate.
“The farther fishermen have to travel to catch fish, the more expensive fish becomes for consumers.”
The commissioner said that the ministry has strengthened surveillance operations against illegal dredging activities.
He said that government is also addressing growing concerns over the activities of scavengers and illegal settlers on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Bush-Alebiosu said the ministry, in collaboration with physical planning authorities, task forces and security agencies, has intensified enforcement and monitoring on the highway.
“The solution is consistency and sustained enforcement.”
The commissioner added that the ministry was promoting innovative waterfront infrastructure, including deployment of floating concrete jetties and partnerships on new waterfront estate developments.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to preserving waterfront communities, protecting investments and unlocking economic potential of the coastal assets of Lagos through sustainable management and strategic partnerships.
Earlier, Omowole said that NAN is committed to providing content for Nigerian media organisations as well as communicating government programmes and actions to the citizens.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said that it has intensified flood preparedness efforts across Lagos State with a focus on communities identified as high-risk in the 2026 flood outlook.
Head of Operations, NEMA Lagos Territorial Office, Mohammed Olatunde, assured that the agency is fully prepared for the rainy season and that adequate measures have been taken to mitigate flood risks.
He said that forecasts by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) indicated that Badagry and Epe might experience high rainfall levels capable of triggering floods.
He said that Alimosho, Ikeja and Surulere are vulnerable to flash floods due to increased rainfall, while Ikorodu and Isheri could be affected by possible water releases from Oyan Dam.
According to him, NEMA has adopted a proactive approach to disaster management through location-specific warnings and intensified community awareness campaigns.
“We do not just broadcast general warnings. Technical information is translated into simple language and disseminated through WhatsApp groups, phone calls and SMS to community leaders in flood-prone local government areas.
“We are also conducting grassroots sensitisation programmes through our emergency management vanguards and volunteers across Lagos State.
“In addition, we are working closely with NIHSA to obtain weekly updates that enable us to provide residents with timely information on emerging flood threats,” he said.
Olatunde said the agency has strengthened collaboration with the Lagos State Government, particularly the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, to enhance flood mitigation efforts.
He said the collaboration is focused on drainage maintenance, waste management and public awareness aimed at reducing flood risks.
According to him, drainage channels remain the first line of defence against flooding, making the clearance of primary and secondary channels a priority ahead of peak rainfall periods.
He said NEMA is also working with relevant stakeholders to ensure flood-risk information reached vulnerable communities promptly.
Olatunde identified indiscriminate refuse dumping and construction on floodplains as major human-induced factors contributing to flooding in Lagos.
He said the agency is supporting enforcement efforts by relevant authorities to discourage such practices.
The NEMA official also commended the state government’s reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing it as a critical step towards reducing drainage blockages and promoting cleaner communities.
He said the exercise, held on the last Saturday of every month, encouraged residents to clean their surroundings, clear drainage frontages and ensure proper waste disposal for evacuation by the Lagos Waste Management Authority.
Olatunde advised residents to sustain active participation in environmental sanitation to reduce flood risks and prevent sanitation-related diseases across the state.
