LASG GOES TOUGH ON DREDGERS
…Issues ‘stop-work’ order to some dredging sites
…says dredging activities must be according to law
The Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Thursday embarked on a monitoring and enforcement exercise to Ibese-Ikorodu and Ilaje areas of the State and environs where “Stop Work’ orders were issued to dredging sites due to non-compliance to the rules and regulations guiding dredges in the State.
This Monitoring visit to the areas and environs, according to the Special Adviser to Mr. Governor, Office of Mineral Resources, Engr. Olowu Abiola was a result of several petitions received by the Ministry on the illegal activities of some dredgers and the threats that they pose to residents and the environment.
Engr. Olowu who led the enforcement team, following the directives of Mr. Governor, explained that dredgers are the major cause of some environmental issues in the State and that the ‘stop work’ order becomes necessary to curb the activities of dredgers and protect the environment from further pollution and dilapidation.
The Special Adviser said it is not business as usual’ The main priority of this Sanwo-Olu-Led-Administration is the safety of the people, that’s why the ministry is doing everything within its jurisdiction to ensure that dredging activities are done lawfully.”
Speaking during the Monitoring exercise, the head of the Sand Mining department in the ministry, Geologist Emillio Cardoso also lamented how the activities of the dredging companies had been affecting every member of their host communities.
He said ‘’We want the dredging companies to know that whatever you’re doing in Lagos, you must register with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, it is our business to know who is working on our land because the government is responsible and accountable to the populace’’, he stated.
Cardoso reiterated that the government does not intend to destroy anybody’s property/business, advising dredgers to visit the Ministry so that they can be enlightened accordingly.
Some residents of Ipakodo in Ikorodu who narrated the activities of the dredgers and their effects, specifically noted the havoc which dredgers had done to some roads within the area, leaving the roads in very bad shapes.
They appealed to the State Government to compel dredgers, especially those whose activities are inimical to the environment, to be socially responsible to their host communities.
