By: Manoah Kikekon
The Lagos State Government has formally defended the ongoing reclamation work at the Makoko Waterfront, situated near the Ebute Meta/Lagos Island interchange, asserting that the project has received all necessary statutory approvals.
Addressing public concerns during a recent appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Alebiosu, confirmed that the project is being executed by FBT Coral. According to the Commissioner, the developer complied with all regulatory requirements before commencing work.
"The reclamation work you see in Makoko around the Third Mainland Bridge is being handled by FBT Coral. They got approval from the Federal Government and also obtained the necessary clearance from the Lagos State Government," Alebiosu stated.
He further clarified the following points regarding the project’s regulatory status: Regulatory Oversight: The project underwent a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and secured the required drainage clearance.
Suspension and Review: The Lagos State Government previously suspended the project for approximately one year to ensure the developer obtained additional clearances from the Federal Ministry of Works.
Operational Integrity: Following an assessment by a government-constituted committee, the developer was cleared to resume operations after investigations confirmed they were not dredging near the Third Mainland Bridge, but were instead pumping sand from locations several kilometres away.
Alebiosu emphasized that the project was reviewed by all relevant regulatory agencies, stating, "Every relevant agency came together, assessed the project and agreed it could proceed. It is therefore not my place to describe it as an illegal development".
The Commissioner’s remarks come amidst heightened state efforts to curb illegal dredging and unauthorized land reclamation, which have been linked to persistent flooding in Lagos.
Alebiosu reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance policy toward illegal dredging, noting that his ministry has not issued any new dredging permits during his tenure. He highlighted that bathymetric surveys indicate a rapid depletion of sand deposits in Lagos waterways, with operators now forced to travel up to 14 kilometres offshore to source material, compared to the previous three-kilometre distance.
"That tells us we are gradually running out of sand, and everyone must join hands to tackle illegal dredging," the Commissioner warned, urging residents to avoid supporting such activities, which threaten the state's ecological stability.