Jabi Lake: An Untapped Wealth Reservoir

AMAZINGLY large and serene, Jabi Lake is located between Jabi and Kado Districts of Abuja city centre and is flanked by green vegetation on one side and rows of high-rise buildings on the other. Besides its inviting beauty, the body of water may yield enormous wealth for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), if it is exploited.

The lake is so wide; its end is not immediately visible to the eye. It can also be accessed from different directions. The Guardian was there last week. A walk on a section of its bank shows people visit the place for spiritual activities. Some Christian denominations perform water baptism for their members, and wax from spent prayer candles could be seen. Some people go there to do exercises, play games, sell items, like food and drinks, second-hand cloths and shoes.

At another section are horsemen bathing their animals, preparatory to the day’s business. One of them disclosed that a ride on any of the beasts costs N300, adding that each horse attendant could make as much as N6,000 on a Saturday or even more when business is good.

Event planners were seen at another section of the lake preparing for a wedding reception. They said the serene environment adds colour to programmes held there, and that most importantly, charges at the lakeside are cheaper than what celebrants have to pay at conventional event centres in the city. The lakeside may have some vibrant nightlife, as barbeque pots were spotted at different locations.

The Guardian found that those who showcase their sporting equipment and render other services subscribe to an association, which allows them access to the lake for a fee. No one, however, seemed to know where the money is remitted.

Tunde Omagbemi, who owns a badminton court at the lakeside, said he pays for the space his court occupies and in turn charges players for use of the facility. He suggested that the place could be better organised, to make it more attractive to people.

Boutros Gabriel, a Lebanese who said he has been in Nigeria for close to six years, described the lake as breathtaking and called on the government to partner foreign investors and turn the place into a money-spinner.

Gabriel said: “This lake is more beautiful than some others outside Nigeria that have become big tourist centres, attracting people and bring in money to the government of such countries. In South Korea, China and Europe, and as a matter of fact, all over the world, this kind of facility is a source of relaxation and holidaying for people.

“It is good for a boat cruise. People would be taken round, have good wine, food and music on board. There would be restaurants on board, and all these would go with some charges. That is how to make money for the government. The Nigerian government should contact investors, especially foreign ones, who have ideas on how these things work abroad and partner with them. I can call this a monumental waste. The lake is idle. This is not good. It is a huge place and should not be left like this.”

According to Ayodele Oyelowo, a trainer, people benefit more when they come to such an open place for exercise. Results are more guaranteed that at the gymnasiums of big hotels, he said. According to him, trainers in those hotels are only interested in the fat pay by clients.

“Here, we let you know what is at stake. There are no air conditioners, here. So, you walk out and sweat it out. Much as we try to encourage people, because losing weight is not an easy task, we try not to pet them. We want to see results; we don’t want people to come here for two months and remain the same.”

“It is good for a boat cruise. People would be taken round, have good wine, food and music on board. There would be restaurants on board, and all these would go with some charges. That is how to make money for the government. The Nigerian government should contact investors, especially foreign ones, who have ideas on how these things work abroad and partner with them. I can call this a monumental waste. The lake is idle. This is not good. It is a huge place and should not be left like this.”

On poor utilisation of the lake, Oyelowo called on the FCTA to boost infrastructure. “Let’s say it begins to rain suddenly, where do we run to? A lot of people would have loved to come here on a Saturday morning, to walk out or do field games. But they are afraid that they would be without shelter if rain falls. So, if government puts some buildings here and allocate them to trainers and other business owners, it would be a positive development.”

Ugene Apikinafe and Sanwo Olatunji-David are lovers of exercise; for them, it is a tradition to come to the lakeside every Saturday morning to fulfill their passion.

Advising the federal government to transform the fortune of the FCT by putting the lake and its surroundings into proper use, Apikinafe said: “This is the kind of places we go to abroad and pay to see. Some of them are not even as beautiful and as clean as this. But they are managed so well. We are so endowed in this country. I don’t know why our leaders cannot think outside the box. Imagine the number of employments this place will provide to citizens. This is the kind of thing that should be developed into a resort and tourist attraction, so that the nation’s over dependence on oil can stop.”

He added: “The FCT administration is doing employment the wrong way. A lot of people are employees at local councils but they do practically nothing except receive salaries at the end of the month. Look at the backlog of salaries all over the place. Everyone is asking for a bailout, here and there. Every employment should be able to pay its employees. That is the ideal thing. If this lake is put to proper use, not less than 200 direct jobs would be created. Imagine the ripple effect of that figure!”

Olatunji-David said: “This is a picture of a resort. If only we can emulate the positive things we see outside this country, our society would be a better place. We talk of whites going on vacation yearly and stuffs like that. If you want to do the same, here, the first thing that comes to mind is: where do I go? With a place like this, well developed, I would come here with my wife on a getaway weekend. Money spent here is worthwhile. This is nature at its best; clean water, a serene environment and all you need, to eat and relax for a weekend. It is worth government putting in money or partnering with foreign investors. I say foreign investors because our people could be cunning; give them this place to manage and you may have stories after stories.”
As government pursues non-oil sources of revenue, Jabi Lake is a promise of wealth awaiting exploration.