28th October, 2017
By Bode Opeseitan
Nigeria is not pulling its weight in several spheres in spite of its human and natural endowments to the chagrin of every well-meaning citizen of the country.
It was indeed gratifying that the Chagoury Group, in partnership with the Lagos State Government under Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, one of the greatest visionaries around, came up with the concept of Eko Atlantic City to proffer a permanent solution to the perennial challenge of ocean surge which constituted a clear and imminent danger to the multi billion dollar investments in Victoria Island, Lagos.
I’ve always marvelled at the passion, the tenacity and the sheer audacity of how Dubai was transformed from a near barren land two and a half decades ago to one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Since Eko Atlantic City was presented to the world close to a decade ago, I have been fantasising and romanticising about when the dream will eventually become a reality and how Nigeria will be presented with an authentic bragging right in the comity of nations.
However, Eko Atlantic City has not fully taken off with the speed we envisaged. Within the city itself, quite a lot of impressive developments have taken place such as the seawall, the world class road networks, the sturdy walkways, the independent power project, the underground sewage, the water treatment plant, the underground cable network and the landscaping to mention but a few.
Surprisingly, the promoters of Eko Atlantic City have not prioritised some key aspects that would have helped the project to take off like a bullet. There is a saying in Yoruba that “iri ni si ni isoni lojo” (you dress the way you want to be addressed). Your physical presentation influences the kind of reception people will give you, yet Eko Atlantic City is a jewel wrapped in tatters. The promoters have failed to pay attention to the road leading to that project site. A couple of times I went to new areas under development in Dubai, not once did I see any road leading to any of the project sites in the kind of deplorable condition Ahmadu Bello Way is. That stretch of road is just 2.85 kilometres. The Chagoury Group can easily partner with the Lagos State Government to turn it into a six-lane boulevard with trees and paved walkways and give the approach to the multi billion dollars project the delectable wow factor it requires.
The Chagoury Group played a key part in rehabilitating Adetokunbo Ademola Road, from what I heard, through Eko Hotel and Suites and they saw the impact on their business. Why did they fail to make it a top priority in the case of the nearby and much bigger Eko Atlantic City? It’s better late than never. They should make that move right now! They should do what Dangote is doing to Apapa Port road and what Zenith Bank did to Ajose Adeogun road where its headquarters is located, particularly with the new road tax relief introduced by the Federal Government.
I’m also not sure the capacity of the local community to buy into the project and serve as the catalyst for its success has been optimised. If The First Group can set up its booths in virtually every important point in Nigeria from the airports to malls and major exhibitions to get Nigerians to buy into their projects, why didn’t the promoters of Eko Atlantic City go relentlessly after Nigerians to get them to subscribe to the project in large number? This, for crying out loud, is the largest economy in Africa and Lagos is the epicentre harbouring loud and silent multi millionaires in any currency.
Another area the promoters of Eko Atlantic City should take more than a passing interest in is the airports. If I’m an investor coming to Nigeria to invest, I probably will have a rethink once I see the fiasco at the airports, particularly at Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos. Even as recently as two months ago when I passed through the airport, power surge was a poignant tumour. The coolers hardly worked! The roof leaks!! The conveniences have become an unmitigated disaster!!! The aviation staff that carried placards to protest against the plan of the Federal Government to handover the running of the airports recently to concessionaires were pitching to a wary public, irrespective of the genuineness of their grievances. That was why their protestation drew no public sympathy but muted indignation. The Chagourys could partner with the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Power and the new airport concessionaires to explore how they can make the MMIA presentable pending when the concessionaires will turn it around to a world class destination. Fortunately, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, a man I appreciate highly for fast tracking the transformation of Lagos into a smart city, has smartly secured the authorisation of the Federal Government to revamp the Oshodi – Airport road and work has commenced in earnest. This will have a multiplier effect on nurturing the Eko Atlantic City dream into full reality.
Many Nigerians will like to see structures after structures spring up at the Eko Atlantic City in quick succession. The promoters of Eko Atlantic City have done so much already to live the dream. Many organisations which have made South Africa, Kenya or even Ghana their African hubs would have preferred to site such in Nigeria but were discouraged by the state of affairs including epileptic power supply, insecurity and sometimes the administrative/policy summersaults. Those are the gaps Eko Atlantic City has offered to fill. The world is waiting for this Atlantic City. The global business community is waiting for Nigeria to step up and take its pride of place. The Chagourys and the Lagos State Government cannot clink glasses yet and toast to a job well done until these seemingly overlooked gaps are addressed. Bringing Bill Clinton to endorse the project is good. Staging upscale events like the Lagos International Half Marathon at the new city is impressive. For as long as there are still weak links, some of which were enumerated above, the potentials would remain suboptimal and jaded.
Opeseitan is the Founding Partner of SA&B Mega Resources, a fully integrated marketing communications firm.