For months on end, communities lying close to the Lagos coasts have cried themselves hoarse for government to come to their aid and remove ship wreckages that have led to the rapid disappearance of their land into the Atlantic Ocean.

And for years, foremost environmentalist, Dr Desmond Majekodunmi, has gone on air to warn of the dangers of allowing these condemned vessels to continue to litter the coasts, as many of them contain radioactive wastes and residual petroleum products.

The Lagos State Government (LASG) showed some interest last year as it sent its officials to assess the extent of the problem but little was heard thereafter. It seemed as if the matter was forgotten as is usual with the attitude of government to matters concerning the welfare of citizens.

But suddenly, the LASG and the federal agency charged with securing our maritime affairs, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) are now on a collision course as to which of them has the right to clear the wreckage.

It all started when the LASG placed advertisements calling for those who were suitably qualified to handle the job to apply. NIMASA suddenly woke up from its slumber and placed its own counter advertisement, telling the public to disregard the LASG call for tender, saying it is its statutory duty to clear the wreckage.

We, as a newspaper, are gratified to note that both the federal and state governments are now paying attention to this menace. We have been at the forefront of this crusade.

In August 2010 in an editorial entitled: “The Vanishing Lekki Beach”, followed later in April 2012 in another editorial with the title: “Ridding our Coastlines of Wrecked Ships”, we called attention to the dangers of allowing disused shipping vessels, most of which originated from foreign lands, to continue to float on our maritime jurisdictions.

The situation does not call for a face-off between the federal and state agencies. It calls for cooperation. Lagos is the economic nerve centre of Nigeria and the maritime sector is our second largest foreign exchange.

The LASG is wearing the pinching shoe and feels duty-bound to act even when an issue is under federal preserve, especially when the latter is sleeping on its responsibilities. The federal government owes it a duty to collaborate with the state government to solve problems, eschewing selfish interests, unhealthy politics and muscle-flexing.

NIMASA must now move fast and remove these vessels and help in redressing the damage already done, such as clean-ups and restoration of eroded coastline to enable communities living in these areas to feel they belong in a country where they are safe from natural and manmade dangers.