Samuel Bolaji
The Lagos State Government says it is partnering with The Netherlands through the Public-Private Partnership investment model to check the erosion ravaging coastal areas in the state.
The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Ekundayo Alebiosu, disclosed this at the weekend while receiving a trade delegation led by the Consular General of The Netherlands in Lagos, Michel Deleen, which visited to express their readiness to invest in Makoko, Okunde, Okun Ajah, and other Lagos coastal areas.
Alebiosu noted that coastal erosion was a serious issue that could lead to loss of lives and property. He also stated that The Netherlands had been dealing with such issues for a long time, given that their land is below sea level.
He said, “Over the years, our coastal communities have been challenged and devastated by ocean surge, especially the Okunde and Okun Ajah areas in Lekki, with several houses destroyed, and communities going to extinction.
“The depletion of these communities has also continued unabated due to ocean surge triggered by several activities along the coastline. But the Dutch have embraced numerous modern techniques to keep water at bay against the sea.”
He expressed optimism that the investment would assist the government in checking the surging erosion in Okunde, Lekki, Okun Ajah and other areas in the state from going to extinction.
The commissioner also assured the Dutch trade delegation that his team was working on a robust masterplan, which would improve the current Waterfront Masterplan.
Speaking earlier, the Dutch Consular General said they visited to see how they could partner with Lagos in checking coastal erosion, especially around Makoko and the Atlantic Ocean. He expressed his concerns about the sea surge causing environmental crises in Lagos.
