LASG to partner Netherlands over coastal erosion

The Lagos State government is set to partner the Kingdom of Netherlands over coastal erosion ravaging coastal areas.

The partnership is through the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) investment model of the state.

The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Ekundayo Alebiosu, made this known while playing host to the trade delegation led by the Consular General of the Netherlands, Michel Deleen, in Lagos.

The trade delegation came to express their readiness to invest in Makoko, Okunde, Okun Ajah, and other Lagos coastal areas.

Alebiosu said coastal erosion is a serious issue that can lead to loss of land and property as well as endangering lives.

He acknowledged that Netherlands has been dealing with the issue for a long time, adding that its land is below sea level.

Alebiosu said Dutch have embraced numerous modern techniques to keep water at bay against the sea.

He expressed optimism that the partnership would assist the government in checking the surging erosion in Okunde, Lekki, Okun Ajah and areas in the state.

Alebiosu stated that his team is working on a robust masterplan to improve the current Waterfront Masterplan.

He said the masterplan would accommodate the concerns of all stakeholders and also help investors to know the areas they can key into.

“Over the years, our coastal communities have been challenged and devastated by ocean surge, especially the Okunde and Okun Ajah area in Lekki, with several houses destroyed, and communities going to extinction. The depletion of these communities has also continued unabated due to ocean surge triggered by several activities along the coastline,” Alebiosu said.

Speaking earlier, the Consular General, Michel Deleen, said the delegation have come to see how they could partner with Lagos in checking coastal erosion.

Deleen expressed his concerns about the sea surge that is affecting Lagos.

He also inquired about the state policy on waterfront and coastal areas to see how they could key into the plan as well as partnering on the Great Wall of Lagos project.

He proposed a PPP model which Lagos and the Netherlands could work with to check the erosion ravaging the coastal areas.

The envoy said “Lagos is taking steps to address this issue. This partnership will lead to innovative solutions that can be applied in Lagos”.