The Lagos State government, through the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development (MWID), has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling the growing menace of illegal dredging and its devastating impact on communities across the state.

Addressing members of staff at the ministry ahead of the 1st Waterfront Summit, scheduled for September 12, 2025, the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, called for active community involvement in confronting the crisis.

He warned that residents who encourage or participate in illegal dredging are “engineering their own downfall,” as the environmental, social, and economic consequences of their actions will ultimately harm both their lives and the lives of the wider public.

Alebiosu described illegal dredging as a “silent destroyer” of coastal and riverine communities, noting that it accelerates erosion, worsens flooding, disrupts aquatic life, and destroys livelihoods dependent on fishing and water-based commerce, especially in areas like Makoko. He said the persistence of the problem is why it has been made one of the major topics for deliberation at the upcoming summit.

“We cannot overemphasise the devastating impact these activities could have on our daily lives and on posterity. This is why we have made it a point of necessity to bring it to the global stage, where all stakeholders from riverine states in Nigeria, government agencies to community leaders, environmental experts, and private sector partners will deliberate and chart a lasting solution,” Alebiosu said.

He added that the summit would serve as a collaborative platform to foster dialogue, share best practices, and develop actionable policies to safeguard Lagos’ waterfronts for present and future generations.

The commissioner urged the public to register and participate in the summit through official links available on the ministry’s social media platforms, stressing that collective action is key to ending the scourge of illegal dredging.