Lagos earmarks N36b to tackle ocean surge

The Lagos State Government has voted N36 billion to check the incessant ocean surge being experienced along the state’s coastlines.

The fund is to be deployed for the construction of 18 groynes (sea breakers) at intervals of 400 metres along the entire length of the 7.5 kilometres between Goshen Estate and Alpha Beach.

The state Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Adebowale Akinsanya, said construction of each groyne costs N2 billion, noting that the project was awarded in November 2012 and split in three phases for funding reasons.

He added that the phase 1 of the project, being the construction of three groynes, commenced in January 2013 while the second phase, which is the construction of 12 groynes was awarded in June 2013 with work starting in January 2014.

“As at the beginning of this administration, four-kilometre stretch of the shoreline was protected and in the last 12 months, six kilometres have been successfully protected while work is still ongoing. Total percentage of work done so far on phase 2 is 80 per cent.  Also the phase 3, which is the construction of three groynes of the project has been awarded and work has commenced on it,” he said.

Akinsanya also disclosed that the state government had approved the development of three islands in the state, namely Diamond, Orange and Gracefield Phoenix.

He said the Diamond Island development, which would rival Banana Island, involves the reclamation of Ilubirin foreshore by SPA Dredging Company Limited, noting that the reclamation works for phase 1, comprising 48 hectares, had been completed with that of phase 2 about to commence.

On Orange Island, Akinsanya said the project targets the development of a fully serviced community in the state lagoon with about 450 metres off the Lekki Phase I headland for the reclamation of a 150-hectare mixed Island.