Beached vessels major cause of Erosion in Alpha and Maiyegun Beach
Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Prince Olusegun Oniru during an interview session with pressmen, recently admitted that Lagos State Government is doing everything im its power to bring a lasting solution to the erosion problem in the Alpha and Maiyegun beaches.
He said, to show the level of seriousness, President Goodluck Jonathan was invited to visit the area and was alarmed at the level of degradation, he therefore promised that the Federal Government will assist Lagos State Government to stop the recurrent disaster in the vicinity but so far nothing has been done.
Addressing the issue of erosion in Maiyegun area, he stressed that the main cause of erosion is from abandoned beached vessels, ocean surge, climate change and rise in sea level. Adding that contractors have been assigned to remove the vessels, private individuals have also commenced work to remove their affected one’s immediately.
According to the Commissioner, it is the duty of NIMASA to remove and attend to beached vessels, because dues are paid on all vessels coming into the ports to Federal Government purse. “It is not the job of Lagos State Government to remove abandoned vessels and wrecked ship. He affirmed that since NIMASA has refused to do their job, the state government cannot sit back and watch disaster take over the state.’’ He noted that there is little the state government can do when it comes to disasters of such magnitude because a lot of money goes into combating the problem. Hence, the assistance from the Federal Government is needed.
Reacting to the issue of illegal dredgers in the area, Prince Oniru said removal of vessels take 5-7 days and if it is not done within that time period it becomes a problem because they would have to cut from the top and when it gets to the bottom, the only way to remove it is to get the sand out of the vessel which is called dredging. The removal of the sand does not cause erosion as the residents claimed. According to him, the equipment needed to pull out the vessels from the bottom is very few and only one or two companies in Nigeria have the capacity to do that.
He further explained that cutting and removal of vessels are seasonal. When there is high wave, it cannot be done except when the tide is low.
Commenting on the Eko Atlantic City, a project the Lagos State Government in conjunction with Royal Haskoning is overseeing. He said the main reason for this project is to reclaim lost lands in the past and take them back to the way it was about 50years ago. It will also bring a permanent solution in eradicating the problem of erosion and to ensure that lives and properties are protected he said.
Explaining further, Prince Oniru asserted that the lost lands were due to the Commodore channel; an area of the coastal water that was dredged to allow vessels comes in and out of Lagos State.
Reacting to allegations of Eko Atlantic City project being the cause of ocean surge within Maiyegun and Alpha beach, Oniru disclosed that the dredger goes deep into the Atlantic 15-20km in the ocean, pulls sand from the ocean and pumps it in the area earmarked for Eko Atlantic City.
Speaking further on the project, Honourable Commissioner disclosed that Eko Atlantic City will house 250,000 people who will reside and work there, while 150,000 commuters are expected into the city daily. There is a road and water network that with carter for the whole city to ease traffic.
Speaking further, he said there is an annual conference that the Ministry attends in the United States called Clinton Global Initiative and the Eko Atlantic City has received an award for the job they are doing.
Adeola Telufusi
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