*As SAN knocks Tinubu government for twisting S’Court ruling on waterfront
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has issued a strong warning to individuals and organizations involved in illegal dredging, unregulated sand mining, and reckless land reclamation, declaring that such activities will no longer be tolerated.
Speaking at the inaugural Lagos State Waterfront Summit, held on Thursday, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasised that these destructive environmental practices pose a serious threat to the state’s ecological balance and long-term economic future.
“Let me be perfectly clear: those who profit from illegal dredging, reckless land reclamation, and environmental destruction are jeopardizing the future of generations to come and Lagos will no longer tolerate it,” Sanwo-Olu declared.
The summit, themed “Pressure on the Lagoon: The Lagos Experience”, brought together policymakers, scholars, business leaders, and community representatives to address mounting threats to Lagos’ coastal and marine environments.
Governor Sanwo-Olu described the rapid degradation of waterfront communities as both a result of illegal human activity and the growing impact of climate change.
He cited personal visits to vulnerable communities such as Ibeshe, Ilashe, and Inagbe, where residents are already facing the devastating consequences of mismanaged waterfront development.
He painted a stark picture of Idotun Village, once a vibrant community, now nearly swallowed by the Atlantic Ocean, calling it a warning of what inaction could lead to.
“This is the human face of coastal erosion… a wake-up call. We must act urgently and decisively,” he said, noting that over 80% of Lagos’ shoreline has been lost in the past 50 years.
Sanwo-Olu revealed that his administration is ramping up efforts to strengthen the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, empower local communities, and enforce stricter regulations to protect Lagos’ shoreline. He stressed that violators will face the full force of the law.
The summit’s keynote speaker, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), a former Lagos Commissioner for Environment called for collective action to protect the Lagos Lagoon, emphasizing that environmental preservation goes beyond government action.
“This is not the fight of government alone. It is the fight of us all. “Lawmakers must craft enduring legislation, and regulators must enforce them without fear or favour,”
Banire said.
He urged the private sector to invest in environmentally sustainable practices and to prioritize long-term ecological health over short-term profit.
Banire also took a swipe at the Federal Government for allegedly misinterpreting the Supreme Court’s judgment in a case involving Lagos State and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
He clarified that the ruling did not confer ownership of waterfront properties to the Federal Government, as some have claimed.
“In that case, the issue of ownership whether of waterfront or island land was not before the court, nor did the court make any pronouncement on it.
“The case originated from an Interpleader Summons by the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and the Dredgers Association of Nigeria.”Banire explained.
Earlier in his welcome address, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, emphasised that the Lagos Lagoon is far more than just water, it is a source of life, culture, economy, and identity for millions of residents.
“We have all seen how communities like Idotun Village have been swept away. If we do nothing, more will follow,” he warned.
Bush-Alebiosu highlighted a range of pressing threats including pollution, unchecked urban expansion, illegal dredging, and climate change. He raised particular concern over the decline in fish stocks, which is harming food security and endangering the livelihoods of local fishermen.
“If we continue down this path, we risk losing not only a vital ecosystem but also an irreplaceable economic asset,” he said.
