Education
Lagos tackles sand dredging with strategic waterfront interventions, Ekiti disburses N105m to 159 flood victims – EnviroNews
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Lagos State is taking strategic measures to address flooding, sand dredging and other challenges affecting its waterfronts.
The state Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mr. Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, gave the assurance on Thursday, September 10, 2026, during an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos.
Bush-Alebiosu said the government’s approach was not merely to react to flooding.
He said the focus should be on how quickly floodwater would recede after rainfall rather than the mere occurrence of flooding.
“Flooding happens everywhere but what you should look at is how quickly the water drains.
“Some of these interventions should be addressed before the problems explode.
” The issue is about understanding the factors responsible and putting the right interventions in place,” he said.
The commissioner said the state had encountered several institutional challenges in coordinating waterfront development, but noted that improved collaboration among relevant agencies was helping to resolve them.
He said the state was also concerned about activities associated with sand dredging and reclamation, particularly their potential impact on environment and infrastructure.
Bush-Alebiosu said there was need for accurate data on the quantity of sand available in Lagos waters, where it was being dredged and how the resource could be sustainably managed.
“What Lagos State has are land and water.
“How do we utilise them if we cannot identify areas that should be left to replenish themselves.
“We cannot properly manage our waterfronts without necessary information,” he said.
He said the ministry was working to capture relevant information and conduct studies that would guide government decisions on dredging, reclamation and waterfront development.
The commissioner expressed concern over the environmental and infrastructural consequences of indiscriminate dredging and poor handling of excavated materials.
He said some areas, including the vicinity of the Lagos airport, had experienced significant degradation, with large craters created by excavation activities.
According to him, the government must ensure that excavated materials are properly managed and operators adhere to approved standards.
Bush-Alebiosu said the recent Supreme Court judgment clarifying certain responsibilities of states had created a better environment for Lagos to pursue proposed institutions and policies for the management of its lagoon and waterways.
He said ideas such as the proposed Lagoon Authority and Lagoon Policy, which had earlier appeared futuristic, could be pursued more effectively because of the clearer legal position.
On waterfront reclamation projects, the commissioner said the government had encouraged developers with approved reclamation plans to proceed, while insisting that proper environmental and safety assessments must be conducted.
He said the ministry had also worked with relevant authorities to ensure that projects would be safe.
Bush-Alebiosu said the government was equally investing in jetties and waterfront infrastructure to improve water transport, decongest roads and reduce transport costs.
He cited a proposed jetty project as one of the interventions expected to serve a wide range of communities and improve connectivity through waterways.
“When you take out transport cost, it eventually brings down the cost of goods and aids affordability.
“Water transportation is not just about moving people; it can also help us move goods around easily and reduce the pressure on our roads,” he said.
The commissioner said the ministry had undertaken renovation of some jetties inherited from previous administrations.
He added that the government was committed to ensuring that waterfront infrastructure would be properly located, accessible and fit for purpose.
He said the administration’s waterfront projects were designed to improve mobility, stimulate economic activities and make better use of the state’s aquatic resources.
He said that the ministry would continue to collaborate with stakeholders and relevant government agencies to improve the management and development of Lagos’s waterfronts.
Meanwhile, Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has disbursed cash and materials worth N105 million to 159 rainstorm and flood victims in the state, urging residents to heed the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) warning.
Oyebanji gave the charge on Thursday during the distribution of relief materials to victims affected by rainstorm and flood in Ado-Ekiti.
The governor expressed worries over the upsurge of rainstorm and flooding occurrences in recent time, which he attributed to laxity and indiscretion on the part of many property owners.
Oyebanji, represented by the deputy governor, Mrs. Monisade Afuye, urged residents to stop blocking the waterways, noting that such act could disrupt the natural flow of water and forcing it into communities, roads and farmland.
He said that NiMet had in its 2026 well publicised rain prediction recently, captured Ekiti as one of the states likely to witness flooding as the raining season assumes its peak, which could lead to destruction of property and death.
The governor regretted how the people’s property were being destroyed, turning house owners to refuge seekers due to displacement suffered through flooding and rainstorm attacks, saying only collective efforts could prevent such disaster.
“In recent months, many of our communities have experienced the devastating effects of flooding and destructive rainstorms.
“Homes were destroyed, farmlands washed away, and families displaced. Behind every damaged roof and collapsed wall is a story of pain and hardship.
“Let me appeal to all Ekiti people, climate change is real. We must desist from building on waterways.
“We must clear our drainages and take early warning information from Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency(EKSEMA) and NiMet seriously. Prevention is far better and cheaper than cure,” Oyebanji said.
The governor said that his government from year 2022 till date, had assisted victims of rainstorms with a total sum of N460.8 million, while victims of fire disaster received assistance worth N184.6 million.
He commended EKSEMA for the swift assessment, verification and transparent process, applauded the local government chairmen, traditional rulers, community leaders and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their collaborations and support for grassroots’ sensitisation.
Besides cash, other relief materials distributed were roofing sheets, bags of cement, roofing nails, planks and consumables.
Speaking, the General Manager of EKSEMA, Mr. Oludare Asaolu, said the government had expended huge amounts to help the victims rebuild their losses, and on sensitisation programmes across the state on how to mitigate flooding and rainstorm attacks
Asaolu promised that the agency would continue to monitor situation and take proactive actions that will reduce natural disasters in the state.
Also contributing, NEMA head of operations in Ekiti and Ondo States, Mr Olanrewaju Kazim, said NiMet had predicted more torrential rainfall in the month of September, which he said makes it imperative for the people to take measures that could safeguard their property.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, a former Chairman of Ekiti South-West Local Government Area, Mr. Lanre Omolase, commended the government for the intervention, saying it would go a long way in helping them to rebuild their losses and begin a new life.
By Aderonke Ojediran
and Funmilayo Okunade
