Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have urged relevant authorities to protect Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, Badagry, Lagos Island, and other waterfront villages in the vicinity from impending disaster due to ocean surges.
The House of Assembly urged the state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to apply for a grant from the Federal Government’s Derivation and Ecology Fund, which is solely dedicated to funding ecological projects aimed at mitigating serious ecological problems such as environmental threats in communities.
The motion was moved by Deputy Majority Leader, Noheem Adams, who underlined that the aforementioned communities are on the edge of extinction as the ocean surge has claimed a large chunk of the beachfront area, displacing many residents.
He also indicated that, given the negative condition in the communities, it might result in a substantial loss of resources and revenue for the state, however, the federal government’s ecological fund would play a big role in resolving the problem.
Another legislator, Rotimi Olowo, encouraged the state government to consider palliatives for the communities while waiting for the federal government to release the funds.
A lawmaker, Mojeed Fatai, said that unlawful dredging activities in the area are one of the issues and causes, and that the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development should send a task force to the shorelines to stop them.
In his speech, Sanni Okanlawon noted that the House, as representatives of the people, has a responsibility to defend communities and act to preserve the lives of people living along the coast.
S.O.B Agunbiade, the House Majority Leader, insisted that the House Committee on Waterfront Infrastructure oversee the localities named in order to arrive at a future solution, supporting the cause for the House of Assembly.
Agunbiade went on to say that the entire state should make a commitment to be aware of how waste is disposed of in accordance with environmental rules.
Following the Members’ deliberations, the Deputy Speaker, Wasi-Eshinlokun Sanni, who presided over the plenary, instructed the Acting Clerk of the House, Mr Olalekan Onafeko, to submit a clean copy of the House resolution to Mr Governor for further action.
