The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has established a specialized marine unit to combat illegal dredging activities around Lagos’s Third Mainland and Qatar Bridges, critical infrastructure points in the city.
Lagos State Commandant Kenshinro Adedotun Sande announced the launch of the unit, equipped with a boat donated by the Minister of Works, Engineer David Nweze Umahi.
The boat will facilitate regular patrols and monitoring to curb unauthorized dredging within a one-kilometer restricted zone surrounding the bridges.
“We are here to commission this boat donated to us by the Honourable Minister of Works to monitor illegal dredgers around the Third Mainland and Qatar Bridges,” Sande said.
“Illegal dredging in these areas is extensive and stopping it is vital to protect the integrity of the bridges.”
Since the campaign began, the NSCDC has engaged with stakeholders including dredgers, regulators, and government officials on multiple occasions.
“We had conversations with all stakeholders, and the Secretary to the State Government was present to reinforce collaboration towards halting illegal dredging,” Sande explained.
Coordination also extends to the Office of the National Security Advisor, with regular updates aimed at strengthening enforcement efforts.
Sande clarified that not all dredgers operating near the bridges are illegal, stating, “Many operators hold licenses from the relevant agencies, but the issue is that they operate outside the permitted radius.”
The new Marine Infrastructure Protection Unit will enforce the agreed one-kilometer no-dredging radius around the bridges.
To address unlicensed operations, Sande said, “We have a dedicated mining marshals unit working to identify and stop those operating without approval.
Anyone found dredging illegally within the restricted zone will be apprehended and prosecuted.”
The NSCDC’s initiative underscores the urgency of protecting Lagos’s key bridges from environmental damage caused by unauthorized dredging, safeguarding public safety and infrastructure longevity.
