By Lukman Olabiyi
Lagos State government has disclosed that it required over N3 trillion to tackle the threat of erosion and protection of coastal communities in the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Ekundayo Alebiosu revealed this during the on-going ministerial press briefing to give the scorecard of the ministry and commemorate the second term of the second year administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu held at the state’s secretariat located in Alausa,Ikeja.
Alebiosu, also announced plans to further scale up the deployment of groyne technology, a proven coastal defense system along the state’s vulnerable shoreline as part of proactive measures to address the growing erosion challenges.
The commissioner said that he embarked on a strategic working visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, where he led a high-level delegation, including the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Lolade Aina, to explore international best practices and forge partnerships for sustainable coastal management.
According to Alebiosu, a groyne is a rigid hydraulic structure built from an ocean shore or riverbank that interrupts water flow and limits the movement of sediment.
The technology has been effectively used to arrest coastal erosion and stabilize beaches in several parts of the world, including the Netherlands.
According to him: “Though Lagos State has already begun implementing this technology, the sheer scale of the challenge to stretch the usage along the 180km stretch of shoreline presents a significant financial burden.
“It costs a huge amount to construct a single groyne, and with a targeted 180km coastal stretch, the projected cost exceeds N3 trillion, a figure that makes it clear that strategic collaboration is required.
“This is not just a Lagos problem, it is a national environmental and economic challenge.
“If we are serious about preserving our shoreline, preventing further erosion, and protecting coastal communities, then a robust partnership with the Federal Government and the private sector is not just desirable, it is absolutely necessary.”
The commissioner described the Netherlands, renowned for its pioneering coastal engineering solutions, as a perfect case study for the state government delegation.
The Dutch model, which integrates groynes, sand nourishment, and nature-based solutions, provided insights into how sustainable and economically viable approaches can be adapted to suit local conditions in Lagos.
Alebiosu stressed that Lagos State Government is actively pursuing a Public-Private Partnership, PPP, framework to finance and implement large-scale groyne deployment and coastal protection infrastructure.
“This initiative also aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s broader agenda to secure lives, protect public and private assets, and unlock the economic potential of Lagos’ vast waterfronts.
“We cannot afford to delay. Entire communities are at risk, and if left unchecked, the consequences of coastal erosion could be devastating, not only to the environment but also to livelihoods and investments across our coastal zones,” he said.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners, federal agencies, and private investors to deliver long-term, climate-resilient solutions that will preserve the waterfronts for residents.
In a major display of responsive and compassionate leadership, he said the state government resolved a land dispute that lingered for over a decade in the Okun-Ajah and Mayegun communities of the state.
Alebiosu, revealed that the dispute, which had threatened the homes and livelihoods of hundreds of residents within State Government schemes, was brought to a peaceful and lawful end through the visionary leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
According to him, the Governor’s unwavering commitment to governance with a human face was the driving force behind a groundbreaking regularisation process that spared over 200 allottees from eviction and property loss.
“What we have achieved here is a testament to Mr. Governor’s belief that governance must prioritize people, their dignity, their security, and their future. Rather than demolish homes and uproot lives, we brought stakeholders to a roundtable and crafted a legal pathway for regularising occupancy.”
The commissioner explained that many of the affected individuals had unknowingly encroached on government land, creating a protracted conflict over ownership.
Instead of resorting to mass demolitions, the commissioner said the state government, through the ministry, implemented an accommodation strategy that allowed the settlers to regularise their land documents and remain legally on the property.
Alebiosu noted that the allottees were not only relieved, but deeply appreciative of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s thoughtful and compassionate leadership, one that averted the potential displacement of families, destruction of businesses, and severe impact on livelihoods and well-being.