Lagos Governor, Akinwumi Ambode
Oworonshoki Reclamation to Develop Transport and Entertainment Hub
The reclamation project taking place at the Oworonsoki landfall of the Third Mainland Bridge is for the development of “one of the biggest transportation, tourism and entertainment hubs in Nigeria” according to the Lagos State Government.
A statement from the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Ade Akinsanya said the proposed project will “transform the blighted areas of Oworonshoki waterfront”.
It will be recalled that a similar project for the same purpose was initiated about eight years ago at Iluburin Canal on the Lagos Island landfall of the same bridge though it was not completed as planned.
This time however, the state government is motivated to create investment opportunities in water transportation and for the expansion of other socio-economic activities such as shopping malls and aesthetic improvements.
According to Akinsanya, “the proposed entertainment and mega ferry terminal site, already under reclamation, would divert a lot of human and vehicular traffic gridlocks away from the Lagos Island and take advantage of the central location and accessibility of the proposed Oworonshoki terminal to the Apapa Port, Ikeja Airport and other parts of the State.
“Youths and residents will enjoy quality sports, recreational, entertainment and emergency response facilities at the terminal.
“Commuters transiting through the terminal will not only enjoy state-of the arts infrastructure, they will also be able to park and ride and park and cruise from the state-of-the-art jetty, thus reducing the carbon emission level and travel time within the city”.
The ongoing first phase of the project which is reclamation of 29.5 hectares of land, including revetment work to protect the jetty area is being done by Messrs Fountain Construction Company (FCC) and would be completed by November 2017.
After settlement of the reclaimed land for six to nine months, it will be followed by Phase Two, “which will involve provision of shoreline protection and reconstruction of 2.8km Ariyo Street as an alternative road, that will run under the 3rd Mainland Bridge along with other infrastructures within nine months and to be completed by June 2018”, the statement added.
“The third Phase which will be both State financed and Public-Private Sector (PPP) financed, will involve the construction of the Mega Jetty and Bus Terminal, complete with entertainment and Tourism facilities (Multiple Boutique, Hotels, Museums/Art Galleries, Sport and recreational facilities as well as a 1000 capacity car park, based on the design master plan of the area.”
The statement reiterated the State Government’s policy to revitalise and augment inter-modal transportation by water, rail and road, and housing development.
Similar projects being planned by the state government include the development of Epe, Badagry and Mile 2 waterfronts as part of the earmarked Master Plan for regeneration, which the Commissioner asserted would, on completion, enable Lagosians to travel from Oworonsoki by water using the Jetty Terminal or by buses departing from the New Bus Terminal.
The statement said that this project would eliminate illegal dredging activities in the Oworonsoki area.