Lagos State govt gives conditions for dredging, insists on FG approval

Lagos State Government has again lamented the infiltration of illegal sand dredging companies in different parts of the state, declaring that it would commence a clampdown exercise on all illegal dredging sites in Lagos State.

In a statement, yesterday, signed by the Assistant Director Public Affairs, Mrs. Adetola Idowu, the state Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Olalere Odusote, insisted that all dredging companies within Lagos State territory must have the Federal Ministry of Mines & Steels approval before they would be allowed to operate.

He added that Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA), Sand Search Report, Bathymetric Survey & Hydrographic Report, Survey Plan and Proof of Ownership/Sub Lease on the land where dredging site is located, among others, are other requirements needed for operation by any dredging firm in the state.

The commissioner maintained that dredging companies found dredging without any of the above listed documents or selling wet sand would face prosecution.

He also disclosed that trucks carrying sands and parks on the express roads within Lagos State would no longer be tolerated, saying that such trucks would be towed away and auctioned by Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Odusote said that all dredging companies within Lagos State would henceforth be requested to submit yearly proof of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the community they operate to the ministry, adding that all roads leading to the dredging sites shall be maintained by the dredging firms in that specific location.