Lagos State Government Achieves Significant Progress in Waterfront Infrastructure Development and Coastal Erosion Management

Strategic Insights -

The Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, led by Hon. Ekundayo Alebiosu, has made substantial strides in completing the construction of ferry jetties and terminals, channelization of ferry routes, and deployment of groyne technology to combat coastal erosion. The Ministry has completed nine concrete ferry jetties and terminals out of sixteen under construction and two channelizations of ferry routes out of three embarked upon by the State government.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ministry has completed the construction of nine concrete ferry jetties and terminals out of sixteen under construction, with a focus on Ikorodu, Badagry, Amuwo-Odofin, Takwa Bay, Epe, Lekki, Agboyi, and other coastal areas.
  • The State Government is proactively addressing the threat of coastal erosion by scaling up the deployment of groyne technology, a proven coastal defense system, along the State's vulnerable shoreline.
  • The Commissioner revealed that a single groyne construction costs a huge amount, with the projected cost of deploying groyne technology along the 180km stretch of shoreline exceeding N3 trillion.
  • The Lagos State Government, through its Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, is actively pursuing a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework to finance and implement large-scale groyne deployment and coastal protection infrastructure.
  • The Commissioner emphasized the necessity of strategic collaboration with the Federal Government and the private sector to address the national environmental and economic challenge of coastal erosion.
  • The successful resolution of a land dispute in the Okun-Ajah and Mayegun communities, which had lingered for over a decade, is a testament to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu's commitment to governance with a human face.
  • The resolution spared over 200 allottees from eviction and property loss, and the affected individuals were allowed to regularise their land documents, allowing them to remain legally on the property.

Statistics:

  • Nine concrete ferry jetties and terminals completed out of sixteen under construction.
  • Two channelizations of ferry routes completed out of three embarked upon by the State government.
  • 200 allottees spared from eviction and property loss in the land dispute resolution.
  • N3 trillion: the projected cost of deploying groyne technology along the 180km stretch of shoreline.
  • The area covered by the groyne deployment plans is 180km.

Sources:

  • Lagos State Government's official statement on Ministerial Press Briefing, Lagos State Ministries, 19 May.
  • Nigerian Television Authority's (NTA) coverage of the Lagos State Government's Ministerial Press Briefing, 19 May.