In the past six months, the demolition activities in the high brow Lekki area and its environs have gained significant attention.
The primary cause behind this surge in attention is the rampant construction by property developers and owners on water channels and major drainages, rendering the area highly susceptible to flooding.
However, the Ministry and the populace are focusing inwardly to identify the source of flooding, overlooking the imminent threat posed by coastal erosion along the Lagos shoreline, exacerbated by increased dredging and sand filling activities at the Bar Beach end. The potential consequence? Flooding extending to, and possibly surpassing, the Lagos Epe Expressway.
Experts are now sounding the alarm on the escalating erosion crisis along the coast of Lagos. Drawing attention to the detrimental effects of negligent dredging activities, they warn of dire consequences for both the environment and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
In a recent documentary by Laila Johnson-Salami, and aired on Arise TV on the erosion ravaging Lagos communities, Desmond Majekodunmi, founder, LUFASI National Park mentioned that the attention of the government has been called severally to the negligent dredging especially the Okun Alfa community, where some houses and properties have now been washed away. He said “we warned and told them to come and do something about this in time, however, it's not too late.”
Just as important is the ‘beach economy’ that boomed after businesses like Landmark Africa, and Oniru beach first set up shop along the coastline in the early 2000’s. Today, other businesses like Wave, Oniru, Sol and Good Beaches have millions of dollars worth of property investment along the coast, employing thousands of people and contributing to Nigeria's economic development. Today, those businesses are threatened with looming losses.
The effect of the dredging and sand filling activities is not just an economic one; the judiciary is now being called upon to mediate between property owners and Gilbert and Ronald Chagoury, the owners of Eko Atlantic. Mondinvest Limited, represented by Olumide Aju SAN, had earlier filed a suit praying the court to compel the Eko Atlantic promoters to seek damages for negligent dredging damage and devaluation to property and also restoration of the Kuramo Waters to its original condition under the Court’s supervision.
The plaintiff has diligently cross-examined expert witnesses, shedding light on the irreparable harm caused by negligent dredging practices. With millions of dollars in investments and over 200 businesses at stake, the implications of the court's decision will be far reaching.
While the court will deliver the final judgement on this suit on May 30, it is important that all stakeholders, led by the Federal and State Ministry of Environment and other government bodies reassess the dredging activities and its impact on communities. Most importantly, a review of the Environment Impact Assessment carried out by Eko Atlantic in 2003 is due. The pressing question in the minds of concerned residents and business owners remains “What impact did the EIA report foresee over 20 years ago, and what is the reality facing businesses and communities along the Lagos Coastline today”?
Lagos cannot afford the potential economic loss, looming environmental damages and increased unemployment that will be the direct result of unchecked dredging along its coast; it is time to act now.
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