The government of Lagos State, has called on the Federal Government to assist it with about N400 billion, to complete efforts in saving the nation’s coastlines from erosion.
The State Commissioner for Water Front Infrastructure Development, Kabiru Abdullahi, made the appeal at a Ministerial Press Briefing.
He announced that Lagos has constructed groins, and needs to wade off violent ocean currents eating up the nation’s coastline.
Abdullahi lamented that the situation is compounding environmental degradation, erosion, and flooding, in the State.
On the Eko Atlantic City Project, he said that so far, 18 groins have been constructed at 400 metres intervals, covering a distance of about 7.2 kilometres.
“We still have about 60 kilometres to go, which is estimated to cost about N400 billion”, he said.
The State Official lamented that not a dime of the Ecological Funds have been accessed on this, adding that, it has all been financed by the State.
Abdullahi disclosed that there are issues with some Federal Government Agencies on certain activities, land speculations, reclamation of land for urban development and dredging.
He appealed that the protection of the Nigerian coastline should not be left for the State to handle alone.
The Commissioner added that “the recently released tranche of Abacha loot of about $313 million, is supposed to also go into infrastructure. I do not think of any better infrastructure that would do justice, other than this one”.
On activities of illegal sand dredgers, he said that the practice poses danger to the culprits, adding that, regulations would soon be unveiled.