By Adaku Onyenucheya
The Dredgers Association of Nigeria (DAN) has denied its members’ involvement in the structural deterioration of the Eko and Carter bridges in Lagos. The association urged the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to differentiate between industrial dredging and reclamation activities before making public accusations.
The association, which held an emergency meeting in Lagos yesterday, responded to recent comments attributed to the Minister, who blamed dredgers for the deteriorating conditions of the two major bridges.
The dredgers said the minister was “misinformed”, adding that it potentially misled the public. They stated there is no direct interaction between dredging operations and bridge infrastructure.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Richard Ntan, the association explained that dredging operations are highly regulated and occur far from the bridges, mostly within the creeks and central portions of the Lagos Lagoon.
According to the association, these activities are essential for maintaining navigable waterways and facilitating economic activities in Lagos. DAN emphasised the importance of not equating industrial dredging carried out by its members with unregulated reclamation activities, which are often conducted in sensitive areas close to national infrastructure.
The association clarified that industrial dredging adheres to strict environmental standards and employs precise, supervised methods to ensure minimal impact on surrounding ecosystems and infrastructure.
However, DAN pointed fingers at ongoing reclamation activities, particularly those near the Third Mainland Bridge, as potentially problematic. The association further urged the Ministry of Works and relevant authorities to investigate the true identities and practices of those engaged in reclamation dredging, especially in bridge-adjacent zones.
While acknowledging the minister’s concerns about preserving national infrastructure, the group stressed the need for a clear separation between its regulated operations and the unregulated activities of others.
