Eko Atlantic City: From adversity to prosperity
Written by Sulaimon Olanrewaju Tuesday, 26 February 2013 00:00 font size Print Email





Sulaimon Olanrewaju writes that the story of Eko Atlantic City is a classical example of seeing prospects in a problem.
All eyes were on Lagos last week as dignitaries gathered to witness the laying of the dedication stone for the five million square-metre Eko Atlantic City, a modern city which South Energyx Nig Ltd., in partnership with the Lagos State government, is building inside the Atlantic Ocean-end of the state.
Those present at the ceremony were overawed by the pinnacle of civil and marine engineering which the project represents.

Speaking at the event, President Goodluck Jonathan observed that “When completed, the Atlantic City will not only benefit the promoters of this project, but it will be an important addition to our nation’s strive to promote tourism and good living. The project is a great example of partnership, for it brings private individuals and companies who have the knowledge and requisite expertise to transform land lost to erosion into a delightful Ocean City.”

In his address, former president of the United States of America, Bill Clinton, said, “No one is strong or wealthy enough to solve all the world’s problems; but it is the collective efforts of people that make a difference. And I urge you to continue. I am convinced a lot of people will want to come and see this place.”
Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, in his remark, said, “This project is not finished, but it is already a success story”, adding that “The walls built to arrest any over-flowing of the sea, tagged ‘The Great Wall of Lagos’ will not only protect the new city from the Atlantic Ocean, but also the adjoining Victoria Island.

“The wall now stands at three and a half kilometres in length and has brought back the coastline of Victoria Island to where it was a century ago before coastal erosion began to wash it away. The Eko Atlantic land reclamation started in February 2008 with a seven-year dredging operation planned to create 8,000 square metres of new land every day.”

When completed, the new city would be home to 250,000 people and a workplace of 150,000 others as it is planned as a blend of commercial and residential developments. The city is to have different districts with different offerings. It has been touted that when fully developed, Eko Atlantic City will be better than Manhattan in New York City and Dubai in United Arab Emirate.

According to the Head of Communications for the city, Mr. Brent Sadler, “Eko Atlantic is a ground breaking vision for the future of Lagos, offering world-class infrastructure to facilitate the development of a new African city. It will help meet the needs of Lagos’ growing population and business community. Eko Atlantic will be a clean, energy efficient city for the 21st Century.”

However, the story of the budding city is that of turning adversity into prosperity. In 2003, erosion ravaged a good part of Victoria Island, with a very serious threat to Ahmadu Bello Way, whose border had partially collapsed into the sea.
Worried about this development, the state governor at the time, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, sought the help of experts with a view to stemming the tide of erosion which was threatening to swallow up the whole of Victoria Island.

According to the Managing Director of South Energyx, Mr. David Frame, whose company was approached by the former governor to proffer a permanent solution to the problem, it was in the course of the study of the problem by the company that it discovered that it was pertinent to save Ahmadu Bello Way from the effect of erosion, being the highest elevation on the island. He added that if the area was allowed to be washed away by erosion it would portend serious danger to the continued existence of the entire Victoria Island.

The study also revealed that the original coastline of Bar Beach was actually two-and-a-half kilometres further out to the sea, meaning that two and a half kilometres had been lost to the waters. Frame stated that it was the informed opinion of experts that if a wall was constructed on the original coastline, it would effectively check the course of the erosion.

“It was at that point that the whole concept of building a new city fell into place; we decided to put the sea wall on the original coastline as much as we could determine. We then decided to fill up all the area that was lost to erosion. That is the beginning of the Eko Atlantic City project,” Frame said.
Corroborating Frame’s submission, Mr Adesegun Oniru, Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, while addressing a press conference, said, “The Eko Atlantic City project is essentially a reclamation and environmental protection project. The overall objective is to restore land lost to coastal erosion since the late 1950s and to provide a permanent solution to the erosion problem by providing a robust sea wall or revetment along the newly reconstructed coastline.”

To protect the reclaimed land from ocean waves the Great Wall of Lagos is being built offshore. According to South Eneryx, “Before the first of the giant concrete armoured blocks for the Great Wall of Lagos was lowered into position, its ability to withstand the worst of the Atlantic tidal surges was put to test. Urban engineers at DHI, the world-renowned Danish hydraulic research centre, carried out extensive scale model trials. Data analysis by computer models showed that the Great Wall would keep Lagos safe from the worst tidal surges that can be expected over 1000 years.”

However, sequel to untoward past experiences of ocean surges that had been experienced over the years, one of the major concerns of residents of Lagos and Nigerians in general is the likely adverse effects of the project on the environment.

In his address at the laying of the dedication stone ceremony, President Jonathan, referring to this, said, “I have received briefing to the effect that the construction of Atlantic City is benefiting from cutting-edge technology with special attention paid on climatic conditions including the perennial threats of ocean surges that has posed serious challenge to human and property on the coast of Victoria Island.”

Speaking on the outcome of social and environmental impact assessment carried out on the project, Mr. Dirk Heuboer of the Royal Haskoning, the company that handled the assessment, reported that, “In view of the scale of Eko Atlantic, it is concluded that the project will have major positive effects in restoring and protecting the shoreline and minimal side effects.
“A scoping exercise was carried out to identify the main issues that needed addressing as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment. Following this, a report was prepared and the terms of reference for the EIA were agreed with the Federal Ministry of Environment, the body with national regulatory authority over the project.

“Extensive consultations have been carried out throughout the EIA process. They started during the scoping phase with meetings with Federal ministry of Environment, the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA.
“Following these sessions, further consultations were expanded to cover a wider range of stakeholders and local community leaders. Consultation and liaison with relevant parties will continue.

“The Eko Atlantic Project has completed a full and comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment on the entire land reclamation works and its sea wall protection as required under the Nigerian Environmental Impact Assessment Act No. 86 of 1992. The EIA has been carried out in accordance with these regulations.
“The EIA was submitted to the Federal Ministry of Environment and underwent public consultation in November 2011. In January, 2012, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Environment gave EIA approval for Eko Atlantic reclamation works and sea-wall protection in combination with established procedures for ongoing compliance,” he added.

With plans in place to rein in the rage of the ocean, the Eko Atlantic City project, which targets reclamation and transformation of an area earlier lost to nature is a testimony to the fact that with the right leadership and deployment of appropriate technology man will always be a step ahead of nature.

Ngwakwe: What are we to do now, Start singing eternal praise for Fashola? Mbaa nuu.

Enough of this over flogged publicity.

Can we move to issues of national interest that will add value to stability, equal right and justice for hard-working Nigerians?

Instead of using cover up news to hide the atrocities of ill conceived government.

Austine.E:
...independent report from siesmographers shows that Eko Atlantic city is a blunder and a calamity waiting to happen,the governor and some of the elites have this privileged information at their disposal but because of the interested parties involved,everyone has kept mute! the so called 'great walls of Lagos',will only end up putting artificial pressure on the perennial surge,which then will repel the force downwards to the lower regions and guess what,it is called 'transfered destruction'.those lower regions will be at the mercy of the surge(heavy wave)!this may continue for sometimes until the walls around the ocean caves in and the multi billion naira Eko Atlantic city will sink down the ocean!what Fashola & the Chinese are doing now,is called 'postponement of the evil day'!they wise wont invest their penny on that wasteful project!

babapupa:

It's a free country, start your own thread to discuss all that, it's not like they forced you into this thread to read and post anything.

Austine.E:
...independent report from siesmographers shows that Eko Atlantic city is a blunder and a calamity waiting to happen,the governor and some of the elites have this privileged information at their disposal but because of the interested parties involved,everyone has kept mute! the so called 'great walls of Lagos',will only end up putting artificial pressure on the perennial surge,which then will repel the force downwards to the lower regions and guess what,it is called 'transfered destruction'.those lower regions will be at the mercy of the surge(heavy wave)!this may continue for sometimes until the walls around the ocean caves in and the multi billion naira Eko Atlantic city will sink down the ocean!what Fashola & the Chinese are doing now,is called 'postponement of the evil day'!they wise wont invest their penny on that wasteful project!

Urban engineers at DHI, the world-renowned Danish hydraulic research centre, carried out extensive scale model trials. Data analysis by computer models showed that the Great Wall would keep Lagos safe from the worst tidal surges that can be expected over 1000 years.”

Brand_new: Let's hope that lack of maintenance won't ruin the project in a couple of years.

gidiMonsta:

seis·mog·ra·phy
[sahyz-mog-ruh-fee, sahys-]
- noun
1. the scientific measuring and recording of the shock
and vibrations of earthquakes
2. the science or study of earthquakes and their
phenomena


Walahi, aye oniro oleda. Omo ale jati jati

gingerbeer: CAPE TOWNS NATURAL BEAUTY, DON'T BLAME US BLAME GOD FOR CREATING THE ICONIC TABLE MOUNTAIN AND ROBBEN ISLAND.

ONE OF THE WORLDS NATURAL WONDERS YOU MUST SEE BEFORE YOU DIE.

http://www.south-african-safari.com/wp-content/gallery/cape-town-scenic-flights/cape-town-aerial.jpg

gingerbeer: [b]NIGERIA WILL STILL BE DRINKING DIRTY WATER FROM THE RIVERS IN VILLAGES AND DIRTY RAINWATER THEIR CITIES TILL 2100 AND BEYOND. EVEN NEXT YEAR YA'LL BE STILL DRINKING FROM THE RIVER DESPITE NOISE ABOUT REBASING. shocked shocked shocked shocked shocked shocked

DON'T BLAME SOUTH AFRICAN VISITORS TO NIGERIA FOR NOT DRINKING YOUR WATER AND EATING YOUR FOOD. WE HAVE ARE OWN STANDARDS.
Funny enough my fellow SAns Nigerians are happy and fine with these LOW STANDARDS.

They have been having poor water, poor electricity, poor infrustructure for years and theyr happy this. I dont remember seeing power cuts or water cuts in SA in any municipality because the munics know they'll be in deep poo. In Naija failure to supply these is fine. grin grin grin grin

Nigeria: Adequate Drinking Water Still a Tall Dream in Nigeria
By Magdalene Ukuedojor, 5 January 2013
Related Topics

In a report, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF ranked Nigeria third globally on the list of countries with inadequate water supply and sanitation coverage.

The 2012 report placed Nigeria behind China and India, as countries with large population without adequate water supply and sanitation coverage. Nigeria also occupied the 130th position on the Global Water Poverty Index of developing countries still battling with water and sanitation accessibility. Based on this scenario, experts insist that if tangible efforts are not made to achieve the water and sanitation goals of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), efforts to attain the other goals of ending poverty, achieving food security, improved health and economic empowerment will remain futile.

Nigeria is one of the countries that were adjudged to be "off-track" in meeting the water and sanitation targets of the MDGs by 2015, due to lack of coordination, abandonment and poor funding of various water projects.

According to available statistics, Nigeria's land area is about 91 million hectares. Out of this figure, 82 million hectares are arable but only 42 per cent of the lands are currently under cultivation due to inadequate water resources. Nigeria has about 264 medium and large dams with a combined storage capacity of 33 billion cubic metres of water. Of these dams, 210 are owned by the Federal Government, 34 are owned by states, while 20 are owned by private organisations. The dams, which have about 350,000 hectares of irrigable land in their vicinities, are largely underutilised. The Presidential Committee on Projects' Implementation set up by the Federal Government in June 2012 inspected water projects spread across the country. The inspection was undertaken to analyse the immediate and long-term potential of the water projects in the six geopolitical zones of the country as well as the challenges facing them.

A total of 111 water projects at different stages of construction and rehabilitation were inspected: 33 of these are dams, 40 are water supply schemes, while others are irrigation projects. As a result of the project assessment tour, 57 irrigation projects were earmarked for rehabilitation. In addition, the Water Sector Reform and Public Private Partnership Unit was established in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to boost synergy among all tiers of government, development partners and private organisations in water projects. Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, the Minister of Water Resources, said that there were 14,000 dysfunctional hand-pump boreholes across the country, pledging that 1,000 of them would be rehabilitated. Besides, the minister noted that over 44 per cent of the country's water facilities were dysfunctional.

"Over the years, the Federal Government has invested substantial funds toward the provision of potable water supply infrastructure across the country, as part of efforts to attain the MDGs. "However, the infrastructure, particularly the hand pump boreholes, had rapidly deteriorated due to lack of adequate maintenance," she added. Ochekpe, nonetheless, reiterated Federal Government's commitment to increasing water and sanitation coverage in the country. "This will be done through participatory investment by the three tiers of government, the private sector and the beneficiaries with the following targets: "Increased rural water supply coverage from 44 per cent to 60 per cent by 2012 and to 75 per cent by 2015; from 32 per cent to 65 per cent in the area of sanitation by 2015. "Increased urban water supply from 65 per cent to 70 per cent by 2012; 85 per cent by 2015; and 100 per cent by 2025 to meet the African Water Vision target."

However, stakeholders have been proposing strategies for the completion of the numerous abandoned water projects. They particularly stress the need for community participation and the training of local manpower in the water sector. They believe that if beneficiary communities are involved in the execution of water projects, efforts will be made to ensure their timely completion. They, however, stress the need for the proper scrutiny of "constituency projects" relating to water. Meanwhile, Oba Michael Adesina, the Olowu of Owu-Ijebu, has called on lawmakers and politicians to desist from the misuse of water budgets. "Some people because of their privileged positions in the legislature say they want constituency projects; then, they take government money to execute a project that probably does not rhyme with national water supply schemes. "The money that should have been used to benefit all, a few people will use it in their constituencies and that reduces the budget available for the ministry and water corporations in various states. "Constituency projects are hardly completed; in fact, less than 25 per cent of the projects are completed and the money is fully spent," Adesina said. The traditional ruler also stressed the need for the timely release of funds for the execution of water projects by all tiers of government. All the same, experts call on the Federal Government to do all within its powers to ensure the completion of all water projects. The fulfilment of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, Water Sector Reforms, the MDGs and Vision 20:2020 depend solely on the citizens' access to water supply, they add.(NAN)[/b]

edoyad: Hopefully, we'll acquire property there in the future