In a novel move to resuscitate its declining infrastructural fortunes, the Lagos State Government has mooted a scheme that will transform the Epe Marina Waterside faced with increasing squatter settlements.
The scheme, which is coming as a brainchild of the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure is designed to provide recreational opportunities, boost tourism potential of the Epe Lagoon that stretches for more than 25 kilometres eastward from Ejinrin, among others.
Already, the contract for the Marina Waterside project has been awarded to Lopec Engineering and Construction Company. The location for the proposed Marina waterside was the place where King Kosoko berthed when he came to Epe in 1851, after running away from the colonial masters in Lagos Island.
“It represents a tourist attraction as well as historical issues and basically we are trying to harness the tourism potential in this part of the State, ” according to the State’s Commissioner for of Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.
The Commissioner said that Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration has decided to engage directly with communities through the traditional institutions to forestall delays in the execution of projects designed to bring infrastructural development to their domains. It was in this context that the Commissioner and his entourage meet with some leading traditional rulers that included Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, the Oloja of Epe, Oba Babatunde Isola, Elejinrin of Ejirin and Oba Sefiu Adewale, Olu of Epe, who all were unanimous in their pledge to support government in its determination to bring immediate development to Epe Division.
Hamzat explained that government hopes to harness the economic and tourism potential of Epe axis through meaningful developmental projects such as development of tourism sites and support hospitality businesses.
He called on communities where government projects are being located to embrace the projects in the overall interest of the State.
He revealed at the tour of projects under his ministry, that there had been challenges that had stalled the take off of the Marina shoreline reclamation; a prelude arrangement for the commencement of the work, upon which its contract was awarded about two years ago.
“The challenges majorly has to do with the unsupportive attitude by some section of the stakeholders; a situation that is capable of denying the people the benefit of projects”, said Hamzat.
Oba Animashaun in his reaction, said that government’s plan tallies with the communities’ desire to attract industry and businesses, adding that traditional rulers will ensure that contractors were not disturbed during the project execution.
The Commissioner, while stating that projects being undertaken were at the instance of the communities and the allegation by that Epe Division has been marginalized. He added that plans are on to ensure that the Division becomes a viable industrial axis in the State.
Commenting further on the shoreline, he disclosed that it is a contract that has already been awarded, adding that it’s about 1.1 km in length and 100 metres in depth.
While adding that the people digging sand at the shoreline would soon be relocated so that work can commence in earnest, he listed the benefit to include shoreline protection, creation of recreational park. He said the essence of the project is to attract business to Epe thereby discouraging congestion in central Lagos.
Also commenting on the contract for the reconstruction of Salabiu Olanrewaju road, Odo Egiri, he commended the contractor, Righteous Engineering and Construction Company, an indigenous firm for doing an “excellent job”. He said that despite the challenge of relocating the electricity poles and boreholes, the project has progressed rapidly and would be completed soon. The road has covered drainage system with 960 metres in length and 7.5 metres width.
Other ongoing projects visited in axis included the Balogun/Amodu/Alhaji Dodondawa Road in Ejinrin and reconstruction of failed end of Igbonla Road.
Source: The Guardian
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