Residents of Ganyingbo and Gbaji-Yeketome communities in Badagry-West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), have called on the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to put an end to the indiscriminate dredging in their communities, News About Nigeria reports.
The residents took to the street to protest the dredging on Monday, carrying placards with different inscriptions, including, “Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, please save us from indiscriminate dredging,” “Enough is enough we don’t want dredgers in our community” and “President Bola Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu save our souls from flooding.”
One of the community leaders, in Ganyingbo, identified as Henry Benjamin, stated that the residents had stopped four dredgers from dredging in the community recently.
He noted that the dredgers had come to the community under the pretense of carrying out repairs, before he was stopped.
He also lamented that dredging will result in flooding, adding that it is dangerous to the lives and properties of the people, and should therefore be stopped.
“This one came pretending that he came to repair something, but suddenly he started dredging activities.
“Dredging in this water will result in flooding; we don’t want them in our community.
“The indiscriminate dredging here is dangerous to our lives and property.
“We don’t want them here in our communities, they are planning to chase us out of this community,” he stated.
Another resident and Chairman of the Badagry Fishermen Association, Mr Sunday Ayedogbon, stated that dredging activities in Yeketome-Ganyingbo communities are illegal.
“I’m sure when the government comes they will sensitise the people.
“With their activities, Gbaji Bridge is at risk, this is the only bridge that links Nigeria to the Republic of Benin and many other communities in Badagry.
“Once the bridge is under threat, there is no way for us again. We want the government to consider giving licenses to the dredgers. Because dredging will result in flooding, if not controlled,” he said.
