Sand dredging reshapes Lagos, Nigeria, and creates peril
AP News••world
Key Points:
- In Lagos, Nigeria, extensive sand dredging from the Lagos Lagoon is reshaping the coastline, disrupting fish habitats, and threatening the livelihoods of local fishing communities, particularly around Makoko.
- Sand dredging is driven by high demand for construction materials amid rapid urban development, with sand prices rising significantly and numerous registered and informal dredgers operating in the area.
- Fishermen report declining fish populations due to habitat destruction and noise from dredging, forcing many to travel farther offshore or abandon fishing altogether, leading to economic hardship.
- Despite government pledges to regulate dredging and close illegal operations, enforcement is inconsistent, with informal dredgers often paying bribes to continue work, raising concerns about prioritizing development over community welfare.
- Scientific studies confirm that
