Eko Atlantic City to create 150,000 jobs

Officials of Energyx at the Eko Atlantic City site. INSET: Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development Prince Oniru

The Lagos State Government has said the Eko Atlantic City will provide about 150,000 jobs when completed. 

Making this known while unveiling the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project, the Commissioner of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Prince Adesegun Oniru, said the EIA was done in compliance with global standards and regulations. 

He was joined by officials of South Energyx Nigeria Limited and Royal Haskoning of Holland, developers and consultants of the Eko Atlantic City. 

Oniru said about 17 expatriates and 500 Nigerian engineers are working on the project, adding that a wall, The Great Wall of Lagos, would be built to protect the city from the ocean. 

The developer has 78 years certificate of occupancy. Three million square metres of land had been reclaimed from the ocean out of the nine million square metres proposed for the city.  

The Managing Director of the South Energyx Nigeria Limited (developers of the Eko Atlantic City), Mr. David Frame, expressed the hope that the City will make the state the choice destination for investors, tourists and financial institutions. 

He said: “When completed, the Eko Atlantic City project would attract tourists and visitors across the world, thereby boosting revenue generation.

“People would in the next 10 years be trooping to Lagos just as they are doing to Dubai. The city would have a Marina of 350 metres diametre and will provide outlet for those who wants to enjoy the canal system. The city project will provide accommodation for 250, 000 people.” 

On the EIA, Mr. Dirk Heijboer of Royal Haskoning, said the project would have positive effect on the economy of the state.   

He said: “It is concluded that the project will have major positive effects in restoring and protecting the shoreline and minimal side effects. A scoping exercise was carried out to identify the main issues that needed addressing as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment. 

“Following this, a report was prepared and the Terms of Reference for the EIA were agreed with the Federal Ministry of Environment, FME, the national regulatory authority on the project. 

“Extensive consultations was carried out throughout the EIA process. They started during the scoping phase with meetings with FME, the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). 

“Following these sessions, further consultations were expanded to cover a wider range of stakeholders and local community leaders. Consultation and liaison with relevant parties will continue. 

“The Eko Atlantic Project, has completed a full and comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment on the entire land reclamation works and its sea wall protection as required under the Nigerian Environmental Impact Assessment Act No. 86 of 1992. The EIA has been carried out in accordance with these regulations. 

“The EIA was submitted to the Federal Ministry of Environment and underwent public consultation in November 2011. 

“In January, the Federal Ministry of Environment gave EIA Approval for Eko Atlantic reclamation works and sea-wall protection in combination with established procedures for ongoing compliance,” he added.