By Abiodun Abegunde
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, has received a 150-horsepower engine speedboat to enhance its efforts to curb the activities of illegal dredgers in the state.
The State Commandant, Mr Adedotun Keshinro, said the Ministry of Works donated the boat to support the command in tackling illegal dredging across the state’s waterways.
Speaking at the inauguration of the vessel, he noted that it would also strengthen maritime security and bolster environmental protection.
While handing over of the boat to the Marine and Infrastructure unit, Keshinro, said that the focus would be on monitoring of illegal dredgers around the third mainland, Carter, Eko and all other bridges in the state.
“We have been having conversations with all the stakeholders around this bridge or those who have activities with the bridge in order for us to work together with a view to stopping the activities of illegal dredgers.
“And as we are carrying this out in Lagos , they are also doing the same thing in the office of the national security adviser by inviting all the stakeholders to this campaign and receive regular update for us to be able to work and stop these illegal dredgers.
“The agreement and conclusion was that within one kilometer radius there should not be any activity.
“For us to be able to deepen this campaign, we have established the marine and infrastructure protection unit designated to carry out the monitoring of illegal dredgers activities” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos NSCDC Marine and Infrastructure Protection Unit would be headed by Mr Emmanuel Oloyede.
Keshinro said they could not categorise all dredgers as illegal because some were licensed by the relevant regulatory agencies.
He explained that, during discussions with the operators, the NSCDC discovered that many possessed valid licences, but the Corps did not want them operating outside their approved boundaries.
He added that the NSCDC had Mining Marshals in its mining department who monitored dredging activities to identify legal and illegal operators, and that anyone found operating unlawfully would be arrested and prosecuted.
Mr Peter Mkenchor, Chairman of the Ijora GRA Estate, commended the Federal Government and described the donation as a welcome development.
He said they had previously been terrorised by sea pirates, but that no such incidents had occurred in the last five years due to the presence of NSCDC officials.
He appealed for attention to be given to the provision of a proper jetty, noting that speedboats should not be tied to private facilities. (NAN)
Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Kevin Okunzuwa
