By: Manoah Kikekon
%20(1).jpeg)
Residents of Ganyingbo and Gbaji-Yeketome communities in the Badagry-West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State have staged a demonstration against indiscriminate dredging of waterways in the area.
The demonstration took place on Monday, June 10, 2024, at the Gbaji, Badagry, Lagos State.
It was recalled that Gbenu Joseph Henugbe, the chairman Badagry West LCDA, has given a directive that all dredging activities in the LCDA should stop but none of the dredgers complied to the directive.
The protesters carried signs reading, “Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, please save us from indiscriminate dredging” and “President Bola Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu save our souls from flooding.”
Henry Benjamin, a prominent figure in the Ganyingbo community, said, "Residents had recently stopped four dredgers from operating in our area." He mentioned that the dredging activities posed a severe risk of flooding, saying, “The indiscriminate dredging here is dangerous to our lives and property. We don’t want them here in our communities.”
Israel Oke, a community leader from Yeketome, said "the illegal dredging operations had driven away young people and fishermen from our river. He added that, “We beg Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to come to our assistance by stopping these illegal activities.”
Sunday Ayedogbon, Chairman of the Badagry Fishermen Association, said "the dredging in Yeketome-Ganyingbo is unlawful." He further expressed concern over the safety of the Gbaji Bridge, a critical link between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, stating, “Once the bridge is under threat, there is no way for us again.”
Ayedogbon urged the government to regulate dredging, noting that dredging will result in flooding if not controlled.