Kingsley U.N. Chikwendu —
As part of an enforcement and compliance exercise organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the ministry in conjunction with the state’s Kick against Indiscipline unit and the Special Operations Unit of the state’s police command, last week enforced the sealing of a terminal at Ibeshe, located in the Ikorodu axis of Lagos State.
Dr Idris Salako, the Commissioner for the ministry, who led the exercise, expressed displeasure at the illegal dredging, conducted along the coastline and the improper storage of containers within the community which he said posed a safety hazard.
The Commissioner also disclosed that several notices had been served but, were ignored prior to the sealing.
“The Lagos State Government found out there is an illegal terminal along Ibeshe, near the Lagos State jetty, said Salako.
“We had to visit because, we noticed their activities are creating lots of problems for the state government’s jetty existing beside it, as well as the newly constructed roads that are destroyed every day.
“You can see the cracks, the culverts being opened up and an imbalance in the superstructure of the road. There are also massive dredging activities of sand mining going on around the area that are not allowed.”
Salako added that the Lagos state government will not allow the abuse of terminals and indiscriminate duping of containers as had been seen in the Ijegun-Egba and Satellite Town communities of the state.
While urging prospective terminal operators to seek the necessary permits required for mining from the relevant ministries, departments and agencies, Salako tasked the local high chief to be vigilant and avoid a repeat of such occurrence.
