The Lagos State Government has issued a stop-work-order as it commenced total enforcement and clampdown operations against indiscriminate dredging activities and unapproved shoreline extensions along Lagos Waterfront.
The action follows serious concerns raised by the state government over the illegal operations of developers in those areas which have resulted in gross violation of the Physical Planning laws of the state.
This was disclosed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Arc. Ahmed Kabiru Abdullahi, who said that the Ministry has issued Stop-Work-Order notices to illegal operators of reclamation and unapproved shoreline extension along Lagos Lagoon Waterfront, beside Oriental Hotel and Osapa London Shores, along Lekki/Ajah corridor.
Abdullahi emphasised that the Ministry is determined to carry out its statutory responsibility of regulating, monitoring and managing waterfront activities as empowered by the Waterfront Infrastructure Development Law 2009, adding that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has also approved the setting up of a task force team to carry out the enforcement exercise.
The commissioner insisted that the exercise will be a continuous one to ensure the protection of the State’s shoreline and safety of lives and property of the people.
He, however, urged companies and individuals desirous of carrying out dredging activities such as reclamation and extension work in the State to approach the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development for necessary guidelines, clearance and approval.
The leader of the enforcement team and Director of Special Projects, Dredging & Monitoring in the Ministry, Mr. James Iranola, expressed the determination of the team to clamp down on perpetrators of all illegal activities along the shorelines of the State.
Recall that in February, this year, the Lagos State Government through a joint statement issued by the ministries of Physical Planning and Urban Development and Waterfront Infrastructure Development, issued a suspension order on all approvals in respect of reclamation and land extensions into the Lagoon at Banana Island and Osborne Foreshore, Ikoyi.
The State Government expressed particular concern over the extensions being illegally carried out at Banana Island and Osborne Foreshore, Ikoyi, pointing out that such land reclamation and extension activities had resulted in gross violation of the Physical Planning Laws of the State and impinged on the ecosystem of the entire area.’’
