Unregulated Dredging Pushes Lagos Lagoon Toward Ecosystem Collapse
Intensive sand dredging in the Lagos Lagoon, driven by a massive construction boom in Nigeria's largest city, is causing severe ecological damage and threatening local livelihoods. While regulated by state authorities, unregulated operations are extracting vast amounts of sharp sand for high-rise developments, leading to seabed erosion of nearly six meters in critical channels. This activity disrupts the entire food chain, destroys marine habitats, and erodes coastlines, leaving fishing communities in areas like Epe and Makoko with meager catches and lost incomes. Experts warn that without proper environmental assessments, the lagoon faces potential collapse, turning a vital resource into a hazard for the 20 million residents who depend on it.
Wire timeline
Unregulated Dredging Pushes Lagos Lagoon Toward Ecosystem Collapse
Intensive sand dredging in the Lagos Lagoon, driven by a massive construction boom in Nigeria's largest city, is causing severe ecological damage and threatening local livelihoods. While regulated by state authorities, unregulated operations are extracting vast amounts of sharp sand for high-rise developments, leading to seabed erosion of nearly six meters in critical channels. This activity disrupts the entire food chain, destroys marine habitats, and erodes coastlines, leaving fishing communities in areas like Epe and Makoko with meager catches and lost incomes. Experts warn that without proper environmental assessments, the lagoon faces potential collapse, turning a vital resource into a hazard for the 20 million residents who depend on it.
The Guardian