Lagos -The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday urged Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to direct appropriate Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to look into activities of illegal dredgers in the state.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Mr Abiodun Tobun (APC-Epe 1) and seconded by Mr Gholahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa 2), stating that the activities of the illegal dredgers posed danger to the state.
Tobun expressed worry that in spite of regulations, the unchecked activities of illegal dredgers posed danger to the inhabitants of the state.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
According to him, unless the state government stands up to the occasion urgently, there will be further degradation of the environment and it would have adverse effect on the whole community.
He said the governor should be asked to direct appropriate agencies of government to stop all forms of dredging, mining and reclamation the temporarily.
“This is to allow large scale investigations of the activities of illegal dredgers by relevant agencies,’’ he said.
In his view, Mr Rotimi Olowo (APC-Somolu 1), who commended the prime mover of the motion, described it as timely.
Olowo said: “As representatives of the people, their work and safety is paramount to us. Some parts of Lagos are below sea level and if we dredge the more, we are inviting trouble.
“Some Lagos residents engage in legal dredging while many engage in illegal dredging, making our people more prone to natural disaster.’’
The lawmaker, who said that there was a need to protect the interests of people who engaged in legitimate dredging, urged government to arrest and prosecute the dissidents.
Mrs Funmilayo Tejuosho (APC-Mushin 1), on her part, said: “the issue of illegal dredging is always discussed on the floor of this assembly.
“I think the government needs to clamp down of illegal dredger and prosecute them.
“The government needs to set up a Surveillance Team to look into illegal dredging, the only way is to pick them up and make them face the penalty.”
Also speaking, Mr Sola Giwa (APC-Lagos Island 1) said:”Water is a blessing to Lagos, it should not turn into disaster.”
Mr Adebayo Osinowo (APC-Kosofe 1), however, said that stopping the activities of dredgers could obstruct the construction of roads and schools.
“Dredging has its own advantages; If we stop dredgers for a month, we are ready to stampede construction works in the state’’.
In his remark, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa said that the investigation would address contractual agreement between the state and the operators.
Obasa said that the investigation would show if the operators were licensed or had gone beyond the terms of agreement.
He said: “This House resolves to call on His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State to direct appropriate ministries, departments and agencies of government to commence large scale investigations into all sand dredging.
“To determine whether the terms and conditions of licenced operators are complied with and to rise to the occasion where necessary.
“To set up an ad hoc committee to determine the level of compliance with the terms and conditions of dredgers in enhancing the licencing of approved operators.
“To investigate allegations of environmental degradation.”
The Assembly set up a-six man ad hoc committee led by Osinowo.
Other members of the committee are, Tobun, Olowo, Mr Setonji David(APC-Badagry 2), Mr Mojeed Fatai (APC-Ibeju Lekki 1), Mr Nurudeen Solaja-Saka (Ikorodu 2). (NAN)