Africa’s megacity of Lagos reshapes its  coast by dredging, puts environment at risk

Key Highlights

• One of thousands of local dredgers, Akeem Sossu, 34, has been diving for sand for at least three years.
• He slips beneath the surface for about 15 seconds at a time, hauling up bucketloads bound for construction sites.
• Akeem said he and his partner earn about 12,000 naira (USD 8) each per boatload, selling to a middleman who supplies larger buyers.
• Filling a boat takes about three hours.
• Formerly a tailor, he said dredging now supports his household.