Sand excavation business booms in Lagos

An illegal mining site in Lagos

The Lagos State Government is trying its best to curb the activities of sand miners which could cause environmental degradation, writes Dayo Ayeyemi.

Sand mining activity is a booming business in Lagos and illegal excavation activities have turned sand into one of the most lucrative mineral resources in the state, especially on the Lekki-Ajah sub region, which has been described as the fastest corridor for real estate development in Nigeria.

Also, the sandy nature of Lagos’ coast, being a city dotted with abundant number of beaches coupled with increasing demand for housing due to population explosion have made illegal sand dredging activity a lucrative venture in the metropolis.

Besides, many unemployed youths and adults have also found the business juicy in their various locations as they are exploring the opportunity to the fullest and making huge profit from customers comprising private developers, institutions and individuals.

This booming business of sand mining has led to increase in the number of trucks and trailers plying the Lekki-Ajah Expressway on daily basis.

But the depressing news about the dastardly activity of illegal sand dredgers is that it is being done indiscriminately without any recourse to Environmental Impact Analysis and government’s approval.

Dredgers go about their activities indiscriminately without minding the negative impact it would have on the immediate environment. Prominent sites where the incidence of illegal sand digging are pronounced include Lekki, Langbasa, Ajah and some communities in the axis. In fact, the booming trade of illegal sand mining on the Lekki sub region has defied official regulation, and environmental experts have expressed worries about the act, warning about imminent dangers of flooding, erosion and landslide in Lagos.

Also, the illegal activities of dredgers have become a subject of concern to residents of nearby estates, who have warned that if not checked, it could cause serious environmental degradation and expose the area to the possibility of ocean surge.

Based on the complaints, the Lagos State Government has come out with stipulated measures and procedures to checkmate illegal sand mining activity in the state; and prospective dredgers are expected to adhere to the rules.

Some of the measures, according to the authority, became imperative in order to guide against natural disaster and enhance sustainable environment.

Some of the measures include the mandatory Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) by sand miners before embarking on mining activities and the need for miners to register with government in order to determine the level of sand mining and areas prone to dangers in the area.

To ensure adherence, the state authority has begun to enforce the law of the state to arrest and punish anyone found guilty of illegal mining in the region. Showing seriousness about its plan, the state government recently arrested more that 30 illegal sand miners and nine sand trucks along Badore/Langbasa road in Ajah, Eti-Osa Local Government.

The arrest, according to the Lagos Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Prince Segun Oniru, became necessary because the groups of illegal operators have been warned at different occasions to desist from illegal actions or else face the wrath of the law.

According to him, any organization or agency that wished to engage in dredging should make available an Environmental Impact Analysis and other environmental documents, which will be examined by the ministry to determine whether they are qualified to be granted permission or not.

He stated that there are places along the coastal lines that need to be dredged, but necessary procedures and analyses are needed to be carried out before the appropriate authority granted such areas legal approval.