Lagos Gives Ultimatum to Remove Shipwrecks

PRESS RELEASE

Lagos Gives Ultimatum to Remove Wrecked Vessels

 Beaches Vessel on Ilashe Beach, Ojo L.G.A, Lagos Nigeria.

Remains of a s wrecked ship during  removal

 Beached vessels on Alpha Beach, Lagos, Nigeria

A shipwrech on Maiyegun Beach front, Lagos

With the current degradation witnessed around Maiyegun and Alpha Beach fronts, the Lagos State Government has called on owners of beached vessels along the afore-mentioned areas to remove their wrecks within 21days.

            A public notice issued by the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development states that the degradation and decomposition of beached vessels cause major erosion, environmental pollution, and the multiplier effects of such poisonous substances in the waterways is hazardous to the water ecosystem while consumption of fishes that have ingested the harmful substances poses a threat to human life.

            According to the statement, Prince Adesegun Oniru, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development noted that the abandoned vessels and wrecks encourage tidal lock, which in turn results in the distortion of the current and rise in sea level, adding that this creates abnormal sea action resulting into coastal shoreline erosion and the possibility of flooding.

            The Commissioner stated further that the spate of climate change in the world and the coming rains which have been predicted to be heavy this year by the Meteorological Agency has prompted the State Government to take drastic and adequate measures to curb flooding within these areas.

            Prince Oniru warned that the State Government will proceed to remove the wrecks after the 21 days ultimatum of the public notice and will not hesitate to institute legal action against owners of such vessels.

Adeola Telufusi