The Lagos State Government has raised alarm over the growing sand depletion deposits across the state, warning that unchecked dredging activities could worsen construction costs, damage aquatic ecosystems and threaten food security.

“We need proper data. We need to know how many people are dredging, how much sand is being dredged daily, and what is left within those areas,” the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Bush Alebiosu, said during the ministry’s two-year scorecard presentation at the annual ministerial press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre.

Alebiosu said increasing demand for sand used in reclamation and infrastructure projects, particularly within the Lekki-Ajah corridor, had intensified pressure on available deposits across Lagos.

According to him, developers handling reclamation projects in Lekki and Ajah now source sand from communities as far as Ikorodu, pumping materials across distances of between 10km and 12km because deposits in closer locations are becoming exhausted.

He said the development confirmed fears that sand resources around Ajah were gradually running out, stressing that the state government has become more cautious in issuing dredging licences and permits.

The commissioner warned that the continued depletion of sand reserves could significantly increase the cost of construction and infrastructure delivery in Lagos, thereby placing additional pressure on housing and urban development.

He also linked indiscriminate dredging to threats to food security, especially in fishing communities that depend on healthy aquatic ecosystems for their livelihoods.

“It is putting food security at risk. We are encouraging people to consume more protein, such as fish, but whenever dredging disturbs aquatic life, fishermen are forced to work harder, and naturally, the cost of fish goes up,” he said.

According to Alebiosu, aggressive dredging disrupts aquatic microorganisms and marine habitats, forcing fishermen to travel farther and spend more resources before making catches.

The commissioner further disclosed that host communities are increasingly facing infrastructural damage caused by heavy-duty dredging equipment and commercial activities associated with sand excavation.

He cited Ibese as one of the affected communities where roads and public infrastructure have reportedly deteriorated due to dredging operations.

Alebiosu said the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development remains the agency legally empowered to regulate dredging and sand dealing activities in Lagos State.

He added that the ministry collaborates with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, as well as host communities, to tackle illegal dredging through monitoring, enforcement and whistleblowing mechanisms.

The commissioner also urged residents to support enforcement efforts by reporting illegal dredging activities, noting that some operators deliberately conceal their activities to evade detection.

“We cannot continue blaming foreigners alone. We must ask ourselves how they got there in the first place. They definitely have the connivance of some locals,” he said.

The Lagos State Government reaffirmed its commitment to stricter regulation of dredging activities to curb environmental degradation, protect waterfront communities and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources across the state.

A statement released later on Thursday by the Director, Public Affairs of the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Morenikeji Akodu, noted that commissioner warned that the increasing desperation for sand across Lagos was already exposing the dangers of over-exploitation of waterways and coastal resources.

He also warned that the development pointed to mounting pressure on available sand deposits across the state and underscored the need for stricter regulation and proper monitoring of dredging activities.

The Kaduna State Government has intensified public awareness and emergency preparedness efforts following forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency that the state may experience flooding during the 2026 rainy season.

The government said the move followed the release of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction report by NiMet, which identified Kaduna among states likely to witness above-normal rainfall this year.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, said the government had commenced coordinated sensitisation and disaster response initiatives to minimise the impact of flooding and protect lives and property.

According to the statement, rainfall in Kaduna State is expected to commence between May 19 and June 10, 2026, while cessation is projected between October 5 and October 21, 2026.

The statement further noted that the forecast indicated the possibility of a severe 21-day dry spell between June and August, a development that could worsen flooding and other environmental challenges.

“The Kaduna State Government is taking this forecast seriously. Early preparedness and public cooperation remain critical to reducing the impact of flooding on our communities,” Maiyaki stated.

He disclosed that the Ministry of Information and Culture, in collaboration with the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, had launched a statewide sensitisation campaign aimed at educating residents on flood prevention, mitigation and safety measures.

Maiyaki urged residents to clear drainage around their homes and business premises and desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse into waterways.

He also advised residents in flood-prone communities to adopt preventive measures, including the use of sandbags and other local flood control measures.

The commissioner appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, media organisations and civil society groups to support government efforts by promoting environmental sanitation and disseminating verified information to the public.

“The safety of citizens remains a top priority for the Kaduna State Government. We will continue to work with all relevant agencies and communities to ensure timely information dissemination and effective disaster risk reduction measures throughout the rainy season,” he added.

The statement further disclosed that KADSEMA had commenced vulnerability assessments in flood-prone communities, strengthened emergency response coordination and begun pre-positioning rescue materials and personnel in high-risk areas.

Flooding has remained a recurring challenge in several parts of Kaduna State and across the country during the rainy season.

In recent years, heavy rainfall has led to the destruction of houses, farmlands and public infrastructure in several communities, while hundreds of residents were displaced.

In 2024 and 2025, parts of Kaduna metropolis, Kafanchan, Zaria and some riverine communities witnessed severe flooding following torrential rains and poor drainage systems, prompting repeated warnings from emergency management agencies.

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