Federal Government Orders Arrest, Prosecution of Third Mainland Bridge Sand-Filling Contractor
The Federal Government has mandated the arrest and prosecution of the contractor involved in sand-filling activities near Lagos’ Third Mainland Bridge.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, revealed this while responding to The Guardian’s inquiries about the environmental implications of dredging and sand-filling in the vicinity of the bridge.
Umahi did not specify who approved the sand-filling project or identify the individual or company behind it. He also did not address why the activity continued for several months without federal intervention. The project reportedly began in a small section of the lagoon last year, paused for a period, and resumed two months ago.
“We have ordered the arrest of the individual responsible for sand-filling the lagoon by the Third Mainland Bridge, and all operations in that area have been halted,” Umahi stated. “The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has ruled that no dredging or sand-filling should occur within a 10-kilometre radius of the area.”
Although the contractor’s identity remains unknown, Umahi assured that prosecution will follow as soon as investigations are completed.
In reaction to claims that the Federal Government is only focused on 13 projects across the country, Umahi dismissed the report as misleading. “We have more than 10 projects in a single region. I’ve received calls questioning why our projects weren’t mentioned, but the president is executing numerous major developments. In Lagos alone, the Lekki Seaport Road to Epe and other key projects are underway. In Kano, I can point to about 15 projects under President Tinubu’s administration.”
Meanwhile, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, responded to questions about the controversial project, saying, “This is the first I’m hearing of it; I’ll make inquiries.”