Lagos State Government, yesterday, said that it spent about N7 billion to construct the groins damaged by a vessel recently. The state’s Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Yacoob Ekundayo Alebiosu, disclosed this in a statement while reacting to the damage of the groins along Mayegun Waterfront Scheme near Eko Atlantic City by a cargo vessel allegedly belonging to Quest Shipping.

He said that it was a sad occurrence, considering the amount of money spent to construct the groins. Alebiosu said that the state had been battling to preserve and protect coastline communities from extinction by using groins, saying: “While the state is working on this, we won’t allow our existing infrastructure along the waterfront corridor to be damaged, potentially due to negligence.” He added that the ministry would summon the company, and further investigations are ongoing to uncover the real cause of the accident.

The commissioner, who stated that he would not rely on public reports, promised that outcome of government’s investigation would be made public once concluded.

“Protecting our coastal areas has been very challenging for us in Lagos. We have invested billions in constructing these groins. Some of our communities are already ravaged by coastal erosion. The groins destroyed by the company in Mayegun cost us N7 billion.

“Okunde, Idotun, Origanrigan, Olomowewe, Itoke, Asoroko, Igbekodo, and Akodo Ise are communities still pleading for our attention. They need groins to save their communities. As of last year, constructing a kilometre cost N12 billion. Are we now to fold our arms and allow the already constructed groins to be destroyed?” he questioned.

The Guardian learnt that a cargo vessel carrying petroleum product, allegedly owned by Quest Shipping Ltd., destroyed multi-billion naira worth of groins along the Lagos coastline at the Mayegun Waterfront Scheme near Eko Atlantic City.

It was gathered that the accident occurred on the night of July 29, 2024 after the vessel offloaded petroleum products at the Apapa Port. The ship receives petroleum products from the high sea before offloading and berthing at the ship anchorage outside the Creek.

However, due to a massive wave encountered by the vessel, the anchor broke, and the undercurrent began to move the ship over a distance of more than 10 nautical miles (18.52km) before it was eventually stopped. This caused significant damage to the multi-billion naira groins erected by the government to prevent coastal erosion in the area.

These groins, made of rocks or concrete, are used to prevent or reduce beach erosion. They are built perpendicular to the shoreline to trap sand carried along the coast by waves and currents, thus building and maintaining the Beach on that side while also creating a more stable environment for piers or harbours.

Meanwhile, the Technical Superintendent attached to the vessel, Fidelis Ilok, who spoke on the incident, disclosed that it was an unfortunate occurrence. He stated that the accident happened while the crew was asleep, saying that it was dark and the crew could do nothing until the waves pushed the vessel into the groins.