The Lagos State Government has warned that illegal and uncontrolled dredging activities across the state could increase construction expenses and place additional pressure on housing delivery if urgent steps are not taken to regulate the sector.
The warning was issued by the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mr Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, during the 2026 Lagos State Ministerial Press Briefing held to commemorate Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s third year of his second-term administration.
According to the commissioner, increasing sand depletion across Lagos has become a major concern as developers now source sand from distant communities due to declining availability in traditional areas.
He explained that land reclamation projects around the Lekki-Ajah corridor are now depending on sand supplies from communities in Ikorodu, indicating that deposits within closer areas are gradually becoming exhausted.
“It confirms my fears. If developers reclaim land in Ajah and now source sand from Ikorodu, it suggests that available sand resources in those locations are reducing significantly,” he said.
Sand Scarcity May Affect Housing Delivery
Bush-Alebiosu warned that continued depletion of sand resources may trigger a rise in construction costs, which could eventually impact housing projects and infrastructure development within the state.
With construction materials already becoming increasingly expensive, he noted that persistent pressure on sand supply could worsen affordability challenges in the real estate and housing sectors.
He stressed the need for stronger regulations and accurate industry data to monitor dredging activities and understand the volume of sand extracted daily.
“We need proper data. We need to know the number of operators, the quantity of sand being extracted and what remains in those locations,” he stated.
The commissioner explained that understanding the scale of extraction would help authorities develop policies capable of ensuring sustainable use of natural resources.
Government Links Dredging to Environmental and Food Security Risks
Beyond construction concerns, the commissioner also raised alarm over environmental consequences associated with excessive dredging activities.
According to him, aquatic ecosystems are increasingly being disrupted, affecting fishing activities and creating pressure on food supply chains.
He noted that fishermen often struggle to sustain their activities whenever dredging operations disturb natural habitats.
“It is putting food security at risk. Once aquatic life is disrupted, fishermen are forced to work harder and naturally the cost of fish increases,” he said.
Bush-Alebiosu also cited communities such as Ibese in Ikorodu as examples of areas already experiencing road and infrastructure damage caused by heavy dredging activities.
Lagos Intensifies Monitoring Against Illegal Operators
The commissioner disclosed that the ministry has continued collaborating with relevant agencies and local communities to curb illegal dredging operations through monitoring and enforcement exercises.
He added that community whistleblowing has also become a critical tool in identifying illegal operators.
While addressing concerns over foreign involvement in illegal dredging, he argued that local collaboration often enables such activities.
“We cannot continue blaming foreigners alone. We also need to ask how they gained access in the first place,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to sustainable dredging practices, environmental protection and long-term infrastructure planning.
