FOLLOWING threat of coastal erosion, Lagos authorities have awarded contracts for the protection of its shoreline and construction of no fewer than 14 waterfront scheme across the state.The contracts would be supervised by Lagos Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure and would ensure effective use of the states waterfront towards the safety of coastal areas and to ensure compliance on environmental laws.Among the firms that won the contracts for the shoreline protection in some areas are Messrs Messrs Khael Tech. Engineering and Associate Limited and Messrs CCECC Nigeria Limited.The contracts entail the provision of infrastructure at the Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, where a shoreline protection contract has been awarded to Messrs Khael Tech. Engineering and Associate Limited. While contract has been awarded to Messrs CCECC Nigeria Limited to execute the shoreline construction and Jetty at the Waterfront in Okun-Kobo Phase1.Already, the ministry had received approval for fourteen additional waterfront schemes to be constructed.Besides, approval was also given for the creation of district plan in respect of the development of Lagos Island Marina and Foreshores (LIMF). The feat is to ensure the effective use of the states waterfront towards the safety of coastal areas and to ensure compliance on environmental laws in the state.Speaking on the projects at the annual ministerial press briefing organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy last week, the Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure, Prince Adesegun Oniru said the approvals for new waterfronts are to commence in Okun-Ajah, Owode Majidun, Epe-Marina, Badore, Majidun in Ikorodu and Ijon Kande in Ayobo area of Ipaja.Others are, Okun Onibeju in Ibeju Local Government, Okun Akinlade, Idale Whedako in Badagry and Gberefun, also in Badagry Local Government.According to Oniru, approval was also given for the creation of district plan in respect of the development plan of Lagos Island Marina foreshores, saying, approval was granted for one hundred and fifty (150) hectares of land to be reclaimed from the Lagoon to ensure the successful implementation LIMF waterfront scheme.The commissioner said the essence of the construction of the waterfronts is to ensure that the coastal areas were safe and protected, to ensure that environmental goals were achieved and to boost the tourism and recreational facilities in the state.This is the vision for new Lagos. To ensure that the economic potential and social development and serene environment are all ensured and protected in the emerging megacity status of Lagos State, government of Governor Babatunde Fashola is more committed to this new order.Oniru also hinted that the ministry, through the Office of Mineral Resources Development (OMRDA), is also collaborating with oil exploration and production companies in Lagos with a view of creating an enabling environment to ensure increase in their activities within the ambits of the enabling laws of the state, especially, the environmental protection laws.According to him, the office recently carried out reconnaissance and engineering survey of petroleum pipeline routes in the state to curtail what he described as the rising threats to the pipelines and the resultant hazards coupled with huge losses incurred by the state government in terms of human and material resources and the general degradation of environment.We carried out preliminary assessment of the geological mapping of the Lagos State and the monitoring of oil and gas assets of the state through an open and competitive bidding process, thus, we were able to determine how best we can safeguard the environment from any form of abuse.
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