By Lekki People Magazine
Every rainy season, Lagos residents brace for the same nightmare—submerged roads, flooded homes, gridlocked traffic and billions of naira in economic losses. While climate change and heavy rainfall are often blamed, the Lagos State Government says another culprit is quietly making the crisis worse: illegal dredging and uncontrolled land reclamation.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Dayo Bush Alebiosu, has issued one of the strongest warnings yet, declaring that illegal dredging is accelerating environmental degradation and increasing flood risks across the state.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, the Commissioner described the state's waterways as a delicate ecosystem that must be protected through strict regulation, coordinated planning and uncompromising enforcement.
According to him, indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels, combined with illegal dredging and poorly executed reclamation projects, has significantly reduced the natural ability of Lagos to absorb and channel stormwater, leaving many communities increasingly vulnerable to flooding.
No Shortcuts, No Permits
In a revelation that underscores the government's tougher stance, Alebiosu disclosed that since assuming office, not a single new dredging permit has been approved by his administration.
Alebiosu disclosed that since assuming office, not a single new dredging permit has been approved by his administration.
He explained that every operator must first obtain an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), drainage clearance from the Ministry of the Environment and an approved physical layout before any application can be considered.
"We have deliberately withheld permits until every regulatory requirement is fully satisfied because safeguarding lives, property and the environment must always take precedence over commercial interests," the Commissioner said.
Communities Asked to Blow the Whistle
Recognising that enforcement alone cannot solve the problem, Alebiosu appealed to residents—especially those living in waterfront communities—to report illegal dredging and unauthorised land reclamation activities.
He stressed that protecting Lagos' coastline requires a partnership between government agencies, private developers and citizens.
Third Mainland Bridge Allegation Addressed
The Commissioner also responded to allegations of illegal dredging around the Third Mainland Bridge corridor, dismissing the reports as inaccurate.
According to him, the company involved obtained all required approvals from both the Federal and Lagos State Governments, while the sand used for reclamation was transported from authorised dredging sites located several kilometres away—not dredged beneath or around the bridge.
Protecting Lagos Before It's Too Late
As Lagos continues its rapid expansion along its coastline, balancing economic development with environmental sustainability has become one of the state's greatest challenges.
The government insists that legitimate development will continue, but only under strict regulatory oversight designed to protect lives, preserve coastal ecosystems and reduce flood risks.
For millions of Lagos residents, the message is clear: the fight against flooding will not be won by bigger drainage channels alone. It will also depend on ending illegal dredging, stopping reckless land reclamation and protecting the waterways that sustain Africa's largest city.
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