Makoko Waterfront Scheme Gets Nod from FG, Lagos, Says State Official

Lagos State authorities have come forward to defend the ongoing land reclamation initiative situated at the Makoko Waterfront, near the Ebute Meta/Lagos Island interchange. They assert that this development received proper authorization from both the Federal and Lagos State administrations. This clarification was provided by Dayo Alebiosu, the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, in a statement released by his ministry on Wednesday.

During an appearance on Channels Television's 'Morning Brief' programme, monitored in Lagos, Commissioner Alebiosu explained that the reclamation work is being carried out by FBT Coral, a developer who meticulously adhered to all mandatory requirements before commencing operations. He stated that the company secured necessary approvals from the Federal Government and obtained all requisite permits from the Lagos State Government prior to initiating the reclamation exercise. "The reclamation work you observe in Makoko, close to the Third Mainland Bridge, is being managed by FBT Coral. They secured approval from the Federal Government and also obtained the essential clearance from the Lagos State Government," Alebiosu affirmed.

The commissioner further elaborated that the Federal Ministry of Works later expressed concerns regarding potential dredging activities in proximity to the Third Mainland Bridge. However, subsequent investigations revealed that the developer was not conducting dredging near the bridge but was rather pumping sand from locations situated several kilometres away to the project site. He added that the project also underwent a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment and received the necessary drainage clearance before final approval.

According to Alebiosu, the Lagos State Government temporarily halted the project for approximately one year to allow the developer to acquire an additional clearance from the Federal Ministry of Works. Following this, the ministry established a committee to evaluate the project, after which the developer was given the go-ahead to resume work. The commissioner emphasized that all relevant regulatory agencies meticulously reviewed and approved the reclamation.

"I am an architect, not an environmentalist or an engineer, so I am not in a position to question what the experts have done. 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," he stated.

Alebiosu also reiterated the state's firm stance against unauthorized dredging, disclosing that his ministry has not issued any dredging permits since he assumed office. He noted that recent bathymetric surveys indicate a gradual depletion of sand deposits within Lagos waterways. He highlighted that while operators previously extracted sand from about three kilometres offshore, many now travel as far as 14 kilometres, underscoring the increasing scarcity of sand resources. "I have not issued one dredging permit in my ministry. The bathymetric survey showed us that where operators used to pump sand from about three kilometres away, they are now going as far as 14 kilometres. That tells us we are gradually running out of sand, and everyone must join hands to tackle illegal dredging," he declared.

The commissioner acknowledged that illegal dredging persists as a significant challenge despite ongoing enforcement efforts. "There is no country in the world that is completely free of crime. The objective is to reduce it. Sometimes we are proactive, sometimes reactive, but we will continue to fight these illegal activities," he added. He further cautioned residents of Ikorodu and other waterfront communities against supporting illegal dredging, warning that unchecked environmental violations could lead to severe ecological consequences. PUNCH Online had previously reported that Makoko, a prominent informal waterfront settlement in Lagos near the Third Mainland Bridge, has experienced numerous demolition exercises over the years as part of government efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure, maintain waterways, and address environmental concerns. Recent clearance operations in the community also ignited public debate concerning development activities in the area and their impact on local residents.