Press Releases

Bar Beach Shoreline Protection Commission: We Shall Reclaim All Lost Lands – Fashola

Dec 18, 2008 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Thursday commissioned the 2nd phase of the Lagos Bar Beach Shoreline Protection with a commitment that his administration would reclaim all the land lost to the sea over the years as a result of erosion.

Fashola told the gathering of the crème of the Lagos Society, including his immediate predecessor in office, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, traditional rulers, elder-statesmen and government officials, among other dignitaries, at the commissioning ceremony, that his administration was committed to the renewal of Lagos and the provision of infrastructural facilities in every nook and crannies of the State.

Fashola, who described the Bar Beach Shoreline Protection Project as "a novel idea in Nigeria and indeed West African sub-region", recalled the efforts made by his immediate predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to kick start the protection project by approving "the funding of a permanent shoreline protection solution to the perennial erosion problem in the Bar Beach.

Going down memory lane, the governor recalled, with nostalgia, the period when the Bar Beach was a popular rendezvous for Lagosians and foreigners alike, when the Beach was over one and a half kilometres away and when tourists and picnickers usually thronged the location.

"We cannot forget so soon the exploits of the late "Modupe Art Alade and the Jazz Preachers" with their popular Bar Beach Show", the Governor recalled, lamenting that all those entertainments and recreation which Lagosians and foreigners alike looked forward to at weekends were denied them "by the gradual but steady erosion of the shoreline which to its peak in 2005".

He noted that the threat prompted the intervention of the past administration which kicked off the first phase of the project in April last year, covering 1000 metres, extending along the beach-front commencing just beyond the IMB Building in a westward direction and terminating at the Akwa Ibom Liaison Office Complex.

On the reason for the second phase of the project, Governor Fashola recalled, "Precisely between 4th and the 7th of July 2007, Victoria Island and the Bar Beach were subjected to extreme storm conditions, sea levels were elevated by two metres above normal levels and strong wind further aggravated the situation", adding that although the structure withstood the bashing, including three days of violent waves, areas unprotected by the shoreline defense , "received a deluge of water and were flooded by localized erosion"

"It was at this at this point that we came to the realization that there was need to extend the system by about 500 metres from where it was stopped", the Governor said, adding that this distance, "a few metres after Adetokunbo Ademola Street junction" constituted the Second Phase of the project now commissioned by his administration.

Reiterating the determination of his administration to restore the lost glory of the Bar Beach, Governor Fashola, who recalled his recent visit to Brazil where according to him, exists a 1000 kilometres stretch of Beach, declared, "A Beach is both an asset, a gift and a torment, depending on how you use it", adding that it is a veritable source of economic development.

Commenting on the planned Eko Atlantic City Project, Governor Fashola, who described it as "a classical example of the Government policy trust of fast-tracking infrastructural development of the State through Public-Private Participation (PPP), declared, "Lagosians have not seen anything yet, having given us your mandate", vowing that his administration would stand by any project to which it has committed tax-payers' money.

He commended the Federal Government for giving the Lagos State Government the approval, in June 2007, to begin the Eko Atlantic project, recalling that immediate past administration in the State, of which he was part, got approval from the former President Olusegun Obasanjo which was also ratified by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.

Governor Fashola declared, "We are committed to the safety of our citizenry and security of assets which is part of what we are doing. We will claim back all the lands lost to the Atlantic Ocean. A new city will emerge on it", adding that the dredging has already begun.

Advising Lagosians to make judicious use of the assets , the Governor said, "We will take the benefit of the beach for our people and our State. The business here is yours; the opportunities here are yours because it is your asset. Keep it clean".

In his remarks, Former Governor of the State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, commended Governor Fashola recalling that his successor was there at the planning stage of the project.

"He was there from the beginning and he provided the right quality of debate and right caliber of personnel", Asiwaju Tinubu said adding, "I commend him for efficiency and commitment to duty and for abiding with the vision which led to the completion of both the first and second phases of the project".

Commending the present administration, especially the State Executive Council , Asiwaju told Governor Fashola, "You are doing a very good job. We are proud of you. We have no regrets in choosing you as the best man for the job", adding,"This is part of the good governance as seen and felt by the masses who voted BRF to power".

Earlier, in his welcome address, the State Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, Prince Adesegun Oniru said the commissioning of the project represented the manifest determination of the present administration "to conclude, deliver a promise, safeguard lives and remove a national shame and failure".

He said the debt incurred in providing the shoreline protection should not have arisen if things had been done properly and those who caused the liability had been more responsible.

"This underscores the debt we owe to the good sense of judgment, duty and leadership of the immediate past Governor of the State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was not deterred by the huge financial outlay for the restoration project but rather understood the economic, political and social danger the Bar Beach erosion posed", the Commissioner said, adding that the completion of the project by Governor Fashola was a confirmation of the good judgment of his predecessor.

Thanking all those who contributed to the completion of the project, including the contractors, members of the State Executive Council, consultants and the team of supervising engineers from his Ministry, as well as all Lagosians, Oniru declared, "This is the last time the State Government shall commit to the protection of the Bar Beach as a city, (Eko Atlaantic City) shall emerge on the shores of the Bar Beach the resources from which shall finance such needed maintenance in the future.