Lagos moves to tackle Climate Change, coastal erosion, partners Netherlands

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Lagos State government is set to partner the Netherlands in its bid to tackle erosion ravaging in the coastal areas in the state.

The delegation from Netherlands already met with the State Government at the weekend

The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Ekundayo Alebiosu said the State Government will partner with Netherlands to address the menace.

Ekundayo who received the trade delegation led by the Consular General of The Netherlands in Lagos, Michel Deleen, said coastal erosion was a serious issue that could lead to loss of lives and property.

He said, “Over the years, our coastal communities have been challenged and devastated by ocean surge, especially the Okunde and Okun Ajah areas 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. But the Dutch have embraced numerous modern techniques to keep water at bay against the sea.”

Ekundayo who said the partnership would help the state government in checking the surging erosion in Okunde, Lekki, Okun Ajah and other areas in the state from going to extinction also noted that Dutch trade delegation that his team will work on a robust masterplan, which would improve the current Waterfront Masterplan.

Speaking during his visitation, Consular General of The Netherlands, Michel Deleen, expressed express his readiness to invest in Makoko, Okunde, Okun Ajah, and other Lagos coastal areas.