EXCLUSIVE: Eko Atlantic City Not Safe Without Proper Monitoring'

PROTOTYPE OF ATLANTIC CITY

Despite several assurances from the Lagos State Government about the Eko Atlantic City Project, a new district bordering Bar Beach which is being constructed on land reclaimed from the Atlantic, a hydrographer and consultant lecturer with University of Lagos, Dr.  Dupe Olayinka, weekend, raised fresh doubts as to its safety.

When completed, the project, which is billed to sprawl on nine million square metres of reclaimed land, according to the state Governor, Babatunde Fashola, would provide housing to over 250,000 residents as well as go a long way to curb the menace of erosion which is fast eating into the Lagos coastlines.

But laudable as the project is, especially in tackling the problem of housing deficit, it has continued to be dogged by criticisms, one of which was reiterated by Olayinka at the 2013 Wold Hydrography Day Celebration held at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.  

Tagged, 'Hydrography – Underpinning the Blue Economy', this year's celebration which was organised by the Hydrographer of the Navy who also doubles as the  President, Nigerian Hydrography Society (NHS), Rear Admiral Muhammed Inusa, the event saw several challenges trashed by the guest lecturers, discussants and captains of industries. 

While admitting how laudable the project might sound, she stressed that unless proper monitoring is put in place, the Eko Atlantic City is not safe, adding that the five cowries through which water flows out of the commodore channel has been blocked.

She said: "I will like to state categorically that I have nothing against the Eko Atlantic City Project. It is a laudable project that will provide accommodation for thousands of people, as such, reduce the burden caused by housing in Lagos.

"But the fact remains that the hydro-dynamic process, which is a natural process must be monitored because whenever an activity is going on, definitely, there will be impact on the other side of the Gulf of Guinea and do not be surprised that the impact might be as far as Senegal or Cameroon.

"The truth is that it is too late to stop the Eko Atlantic City Project, but there should be a holistic approach in monitoring whatever process is going on around that area. Also, the hydrographic process around the Banana Island is such that when there are surges from the Atlantic Ocean, it goes through the harbour and commodore channel to the five cowrie creek."