Lagos vows to stop illegal dredging

Lagos State government has vowed to stop illegal dredging and flush out those operating without a government permit in the dredging sector from the state.

The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, disclosed this during a meeting with members of the executive council of the Dredgers’ Association of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter.

The meeting was called to seek the cooperation of the association in enforcing guidelines regulating dredging activities and to declare Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s zero tolerance for illegal dredging operations.

In a statement, yesterday, the commissioner said though the meeting was a familiarisation forum to interact with members of the association and get first-hand information on how dredging activities can be improved upon with the view to maintaining the state’s waterfronts and prevent environmental degradation.

While soliciting their support in sanitising dredging activities in the state, Dayo Bush-Alebiosu disclosed that the state will not condone the spate of illegal dredging activities being carried out in every nook and cranny of the state.

Alebiosu also expressed the readiness of government officials to begin enforcement activities soon, saying that anybody caught violating dredging laws and regulations of the state will be prosecuted.

In his response, the President of the association, Mr Bature Akpomejero, pledged their support and cooperation to the state government in getting rid of illegal dredgers in the state.