By Oluwatosin Maliki
Indigenes of Majidun community in Lagos State’s Ikorodu area have expressed discontent with the actions of sand miners, asserting that these activities have significantly worsened their living conditions.
On Monday, some residents explained that the dredging activity has caused significant environmental threats and wreaked havoc in the area.
Quest Times gathered that the dredging activities are being carried out by private individuals who are licensed by the government.
A resident identified as Ayo Abejoye, expressed concerns, noting that one of the adverse effects of the activity is flood, hence, affecting roads and buildings on the coastline.
He stated, “Anywhere dredging takes place, erosion is certain. We can no longer manage the situation. It affects us, especially during downpour. The river was far from these houses before, but now it is closer and floods can easily wreak havoc.”
Also, another resident simply called Margaret, lamented bitterly, voicing her distress over the situation.
“The activity on the river causes floods. I know people whose properties have been destroyed by floods. I am not comfortable with the situation, just take a look at the environment,” she complained.
Meanwhile, the community head, identified as Olusegun Alexander, disclosed that he had written to the government about their challenges, but no action was taken.
He said, “You are taking sand from a river, and you expect sand not to return there. There will surely be erosion. I have written letters to the government, but these dredgers are influential”.
“The government gave them approval and did not bother about the welfare of the community, where they generate money. The implication is worrisome and our lives and properties are in danger”.
“There was a time we had a meeting with the dredgers, and they promised to construct pilling so the effect can be controlled but we have not seen any development. We were labeled hoodlums in our community whenever we went against their operation. We will keep fighting this course because our safety matters,” Alexander voiced.
In addition, a source at the Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure Development said that the issue might not be coming from the dredging activities as claimed by the residents, while pointing out that most houses in the community are built on low land.
However, he assured that proper investigation would be conducted to reveal the problem.
He stated, “We have no record of dredging disturbance in the Majidun community but if there is any, they should write to the ministry and attach pictorial evidence so we can investigate as we do not deal with assumptions.”
“The fact is that most residents in that area are living in illegal structures constructed on the coastline, some do not even have a certificate of occupancy. These allegations might also be a result of failed negotiation between the operators and the community,” he noted.