Lagos, Nigeria, February 11, 2016 – Issuance of licences for coastline dredging of Lagos waterways will henceforth be done by both the Federal and the Lagos State Government.
This was the decision reached by the Lagos State Government as part of effort to restore sanity to the coastline and protect the ecosystem.
Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, Mr. Adebowale Akinsanya who made the announcement said Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure Development and an agency of the Federal Government- Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) will now jointly issue and renew license for dredging in Lagos.
He frowned at some unregulated dredging activities going-on in some parts of Lagos, adding that the state decided to suspend issuance and renewal of license to Suspension of licences to give room for Lagos State and NIWA to regulate the activities of dredgers.
“Many of the operators have seized the opportunity of the rancour between the Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, Lagos State Inland Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the Nigeria Inland
Waterways Authority (NIWA) in the past to perpetrate all sorts of atrocities, especially in the areas of dredging and reclamation, the effect of which has caused colossus damage to our ecosystem. I am happy to inform you all that, the Ministry, LASWA and NIWA have now formed a very formidable partnership to protect our environment and save lives of Lagosians who have been at the receiving end in the past.
At this juncture, let me state clearly that having reviewed the atrocities of dredgers in the state, the government has decided to put on hold all issuance of licenses of dredging activities; henceforth an internet based information system will become operational soon where all requirements for each category will be available and a 2-step process will be adopted in getting approvals for operations in the state,” he said.
First, all applicants will get the approval from the Lagos State Government and will then go to NIWA for concurrent approval for all categories of permits, also, temporary permits will no longer be entertained,” the commissioner highlighted.
Also speaking, Area Manager of NIWA, Mr Muazu Sambo enjoined dredgers in the country to adopt best practices in all their activities. Muazu who commended the agencies of Lagos State Government for the collaboration with NIWA, called for more holistic partnership between state governments across the country and the federal agencies.
On his part, Obi of Lagos- Rilwan Akiolu charged the government to be drastic in dealing with illegal shoreline dredgers. He also made a case for those whose lands had been taken over by ongoing developments at the Eko Atlantic City and Lekki Free Zone Area.
“We understand what government is doing, it is for economic development but they should have the interest of the people at heart, that is all,” the Monarch stressed.
