14 nabbed as Lagos goes tough on illegal land reclamation

By Tokunbo OgunsamiLagos State Government has nabbed 14 illegal sand dredgers on the shoreline of Ikoyi-Lekki axis on Banana Island.The arrest was made during a compliance enforcement.The exercise, conducted by the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, was aimed at protecting the shoreline against illegal reclamation extensions.Leading the enforcement team, Waterfront Infrastructure Development Commissioner Ahmed Kabiru Abdullahi said: In some locations, they have extended up to 120 metres beyond the original shoreline, narrowing the waterways and creating nuisance hindering water transportation.He said the reclamation extensions for real estate development were identified in 23 locations on the shoreline of Banana Island, which were at different stages of completion.They were promptly marked for removal and restoration of the shoreline, Abdullahi said.The arrested 14 illegal dredgers have been taken to court and are being prosecuted by the Environmental and Special offences Court in Oshodi Lagos.The compliance monitoring exercise is expected to continue at Lekki Peninsula, Ikorodu and Ojo-Badagry axis.
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