Lagos Requires Over N3tn To Curb Coastal Erosion – Commissioner

The Lagos State Government has revealed that it needs more than ₦3tn to effectively combat coastal erosion and safeguard its shoreline communities from environmental degradation.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Ekundayo Alebiosu, during a ministerial press briefing held at the State Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja.

The event is part of the activities commemorating the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.

Alebiosu outlined the government’s plan to expand the use of groynes, a proven coastal defence system designed to disrupt water flow and control sediment movement along shorelines.

He explained that although Lagos has already begun deploying groynes in some areas, scaling the technology to cover the entire 180-kilometre coastline would require massive financial investment.

“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 ₦3 trillion, a figure that makes it clear that strategic collaboration is required,” the Commissioner said.

He stressed the need for joint efforts between the Lagos State Government, the Federal Government, and the private sector, describing coastal protection as a national priority that impacts both the environment and the economy.

“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,” Alebiosu added.

To address the funding gap, the state is actively exploring Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models aimed at financing the large-scale deployment of groynes and other protective infrastructure.

Alebiosu reiterated that the initiative is in line with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s agenda to safeguard lives, protect infrastructure, and harness the economic opportunities of Lagos’ waterfronts.

He also warned that failure to act decisively against coastal erosion could have dire consequences for vulnerable communities, critical investments, and the surrounding environment.

Lagos Requires Over N3tn To Curb Coastal Erosion – Commissioner is first published on The Whistler Newspaper