Beaches for the rich: From solving chronic erosion to privatising beaches

Beaches and waterfronts in Lagos are beginning to wear a new look and getting attention that are typical of modern natural destinations, often relished by tourists. Access is however becoming an exclusive right for a privileged few compared to what is obtainable in many coastal cities. Cut-throat gate fees and extraneous user-charges are becoming the norm that fence off Lagos residents, especially average income-earners, from a feel of nature. GBENGA SALAU reports.

Lagos is a peculiar city surrounded by water. About 65 per cent of the state is aquatic, which leaves it with only 35 per cent of land mass. Interestingly, it is the most populated city in West Africa, with over 20 million people. But between the unique natural endowment and the demography is the challenge of living life to its optimum. This is especially with beaches changing from social service for the residents, to money-making ventures.
 
For many, who like the coastal setting, or dreaming of a time, day, or weekend in a very serene environment where they can reconnect with nature, Lagos provides such an atmosphere, with its several beaches, and waterfront spots dotting different parts of the city.
 
It is, therefore, not surprising that Lagos residents traditionally retreat to the beaches to catch fun and relax during festive periods and public holidays.
 
Apart from the Yuletide and festive periods, fun-seekers also see these places, as destination of choice for the celebration of their birthdays and wedding anniversaries, while churches, organisations, and social clubs find time to gather their members and staff at the beach for one form of hangout, merrymaking or the other.
  
This is in addition to the fact that residents and visitors go to beaches when they need to stay away from the hustle and bustle that have come to characterise life in the city centre.
 

Oniru beach

Going to beach at a cost
Some of the now recognised beaches are Atican Beach, Elegushi Beach, Eleko Beach, Landmark Beach, La Campagne Tropicana, Barracuda Beach, and Oniru Beach to mention a few.
 
But unlike Bar Beach, gaining access to these new beaches comes at a fee, which varies across the different spots. Ironically, the gate fee at many of these beaches is just to have access to nature as other support services and facilities that include swimming pool, bar, table tennis/games court, private beach with tents, playground, sleep-in guest rooms, jet skiing, and boat riding are paid for while at the beach. On many of the beaches, cars are also not parked for free, it comes with a fee, usually between N500 and N2000.
 
At the different beaches, horseback riding is a common activity. Spicing the atmosphere is the loud music being dished out by a disc jockey, which is a constant feature, especially on weekends and festive periods. Bars, restaurants and lounges are also in huge supply.
 
At Atican Beach, for instance, the entry fee for a day is N2000 per adult, while the rates for children are a bit lower. However, if any visitor needs to use the beach benches, tent, mat, or swimming pool, the picnickers would be charged for the service.
 

‘New nature’, for an arm and a leg
A resident, Damilare Ogundele, has a family of five. He was at Atican Beach in December on Boxing Day after much persuasion from his wife, but the entry fee alone cost him N9000 for himself, his wife and three children. He also paid N500 to park his car and another N1000 as community development levy to boys who mounted toll points.
 
According to him, with the beach, if not that his family went with a mat, they would have paid for a seat but they still had to rent a big umbrella because of the sun.
 

Old Bar beach, now Eko Atlantic City