Stakeholders advocate regulations of sand digging

Currently, sand digging is a lucrative business in Lagos State, partly due to developmental projects, either by the government or private developers, with the activities carried out with reckless abandon.

However, concerns have been expressed by the citizens because of risks associated with this illegal excavations, ranging from induced erosion, negative impacts on the road infrastructures and general degradation on the environment.

For a long time, informed residents have been expressing worries over illegal dredging, sand filling and other related activities in some communities across the state, especially, the suburbs, where not fully developed lands are available.

However, in recent times, sand digging for commercial purposes have been carried out in places like Ikorodu-Itoikin; Ketu_Ejirin-Temu axis in Epe, Ijebu-Ode Epe road axis; Ibeju-Sangotedo along the Lekki axis and Ita-oluwo-Ishawo in ikorou en route Lagos-Ibadan expressway, where virgin lands are available.

Expressing their worries, commuters in some of these areas who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune testified, not only to the dangers their activities portend, but also the dangerous manner the truck drivers who conveyed the sand posed to the commuters.

“Currently between Imota and Itoikin, a distance of less than 20 kilometres, there are more than four sites where sand digging activities are ongoing.

“But the most disturbing aspect of the situation is how these uncontrolled activities are impacting negatively on the road, especially, during the rainy season, when remnants of the sands filled the road and constitute danger to the road users”, said Alfa Najim Adekunle, who called on government officials to regulate their activities.”