The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced it would investigate alleged illegal dredging in Addo Community, Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
Mr. Joseph Ororo, Manager, Lagos Office, NIWA , stated that the authority would carry out investigation into the rumour involving alleged illegal dredging activities along the community’s shoreline.
‘Lagos NIWA office is getting feelers that illegal dredging has resumed in Addo community, in spite of the state government’s ban.
‘NIWA, as a Federal Government Inland Waterways Regulatory Authority, will dispatch its men to investigate the place in question before taking the necessary action,’ he said.
Ororo explained that dredging activities should be carried out at about 500 metres away from the shoreline.
He warned the authority would not hesitate to sanction violators of dredging guidelines and regulations.
The manager said that the authority had always maintained the need for sand miners and dredgers to carry Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before embarking on dredging.
‘It is within the purview of NIWA to regulate all activities in inland waterways and the right of way.
‘After our investigations, we would handle it the way it should be handled.
Dredging close to where people live would have negative effects on the environment and pose threat to residents, through flooding and erosion problems ,’ he said.
Ororo added that dredging, if not well conducted, would also affect navigational activities.
He expressed the authority’s preparedness to sustain its routine patrol along the shoreline, to checkmate illegal dredging activities.
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Dredging Today Staff, December 22, 2011;