The Lagos State Government today fenced out all occupants of the coastline of Kuramo Beach to continue the construction of the Eko Atlantic City that environmentalists blame for an ocean surge that killed more than 16 people unprecedented surge three days ago.The state government also burnt down all the shanties on the shoreline that were used for petty commercial activities.
The Lagos Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Toyin Ayinde, visited the site today and stated that critics of the Eko Atlantic Project were speaking out of ignorance. Claiming that he studied the coast of the Atlantic during his graduate studies, Mr. Ayinde added that the state could not be faulted for undertaking the mega project on the water. He accused those occupying the coastline of doing so illegally.
However, Abbey Edwards, the secretary of the security unit of the demolished oceanfront, asserted that the wooden commercial shops were constructed during the 1999 All African Games hosted by Nigeria. Mr. Edwards, a graduate of bio-chemistry from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife also stated that the shops had been a source of tax revenue for the state government since then. He bemoaned the fact the government’s demolition of the commercial and residential structures without provision of alternatives would displace more than 25,000 people and increase the crime rate in the state.
“They have no mind for the masses,” said Mr. Edwards. “We all know they are doing this to protect Eko Hotel. And they had been looking for ways to achieve this for long until now that they are taking advantage of the ocean surge which they caused by themselves through the Eko Atlantic Project.”
Mr. Edwards also claimed that more than 16 people were swept away by the recent surge of the Atlantic. “Some of those killed by the ocean tide were those helping to rescue children from the ocean surge,” he said. He added, “We have been guarding this place since 1999 and have assisted the Police Rapid Respond Squad to round up criminals in this place. But now, the surge has claimed Olorunwa Babatunde, Joseph Oke, Benson and some other guys with whom I run things here.” He said several of the victims lost their lives while attempting to rescue drowning children.
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