28th May, 2012
The Eko Atlantic City is to generate over 150,000 jobs for Lagosians when completed and in operation, says Mr. David Frame, Managing Director, South Energyx Nigeria Limited, the developer of the mega city on the Atlantic.
This is coming as the Lagos State Government and the developer unveiled the Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, report of the project, which showed that the ongoing Lagos mega city project is in compliance with regulations.
At the unveiling of the EIA reports at the weekend, Frame said that in the nearest future, Lagos would become the envy of the world because of the Atlantic City.
“Between 10 and 15 years from now, people will flock Lagos State for the city as they do in Dubai. The city will have a west point, in Marina, of 350 metres diameter and will provide outlet for those who want to enjoy the canal system. The city project will provide accommodation for 250,000 people,” he stated.
Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure, Segun Oniru, said that currently, 17 expatriates and 500 Nigerian engineers are working on the project, saying that a wall, to be called The Great Wall of Lagos would be constructed to protect the city from ocean surge.
He added that the developer of the city had 78 years certificate of occupancy on the project to enable it recoup its investment over time, saying that three million square metres of land had been reclaimed from the ocean out of the nine million square metres of land for the city.
On the EIA, Mr. Dirk Heuboer of the Royal Haskoning, the Dutch marine experts company said the company carried out an environmental and social impact assessment on the Eko Atlantic reclamation project.
“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,” he said.
“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.
—Kazeem Ugbodaga