Two banks to pilot Eko Atlantic City office development

Except a change of plan occurs, at least two commercial banks will be piloting office development construction works in the Eko Atlantic City project as the duo have indicated interest to commence their projects in the next few months.

Developers of the Eko Atlantic City Project, South Energyx Nigeria Limited, made the disclosure last week in Lagos at a press briefing to acquaint stakeholders on recent development.

A senior official with South Energyx Nigeria Limited, Mr. David Frame, giving the highlights of the city’s feature said two banks have indicated their desire to commence actual construction of their offices in the next few months.

He however did not give details on the banks and the scope of works they are to do.

He also informed that the business district will be a centre for international business, finance and commerce, with the imposing structure planned for the city to house restaurants, bars, penthouse apartment for living and socialising.

Frame also disabused the minds of the public from the notion that the city is meant for the super rich in the society and the company.

His words: “Contrary to the general perception that only the wealthy ones in the society would have the opportunity of living in the new city, there is plan for the construction of apartments that would be at the reach of the upcoming, but enterprising young executives”.

Also, The Guardian authoritatively learnt that many investors have bought into the scheme, some of which have commenced considering the nature of structures to be erected on the reclaimed landed space, now known as Eko Atlantic City project.

Besides, full construction of the protective barrier, nicknamed “The Great Wall of Lagos” and reclamation exercise would be fully completed by 2016.

However, before the targeted date, scores of offices and residential accommodation must have commenced in the already reclaimed areas where subscribers has made proposal.

The developers also gave insight into how the Federal Ministry of Environment had endorsed the EIA report on the project, which they said had clearly put a stop into any misgivings that have been held about the project.

Among such misgivings expressed was the ability to prevent the ocean surge into the city in the future and in any event, how to prevent erosion in the waterfront stretch beyond the Eko Atlantic City.

Under the EIA, an eight-kilometer long revetment wall would be erected to prevent any possibility of ocean surge, this they said it is in line with the global practice of ensuring there are rescue measure in the event of any eventuality.

But unfolding the measures put in place, the Mr. Dirk Heuboer, from Royal Haskoning, said the “The Great Wall of Lagos”, an eight-kilometer long revetment put in place to protect Eko Atlantic City and low-lying Lagos from relentless forces of the ocean was as a result of the outcome of EIA reports.

According to him, the wall is being constructed to the highest standard of marine engineering available globally. He said an international team of highly skilled coastal and marine engineers applied physical scale model tests and computer simulations in Denmark to assess its stability under the pressure of extreme wave conditions, noting that “the design proved itself beyond doubt”.

He gave the features of the barrier as follows: The revetment splits into 12 different layers of rock and concrete which form the massive structure; that most part of the wall lies on the sea-bed between seven and 11 metres underwater, the position which the consultant said formed the strength of the wall.

The base of this Great Wall is around 45 metres, with average width of sixteen metres. The construction, he said, begins with the scoop of excavator arm that is carefully controlled from digger, swinging of gravel-filled shovel into a defined position over the water, adding that this first layers is a filter that prevents sand on the sea-bed from moving through the structure.

“Besides, a durable geo-textile, made out of non-woven polyester is effectively serves as a separation membrane and also in preventing reclaimed sand-fill from escaping the wall structure, but still allows ground and seawater to pass through the fabric in a controlled fashion, thereby proved that the structure have the protective capacity of more than100 years”.

He noted that the eight kilometres long defense wall has reached almost four kilometer fully completed.

In his remark, the Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure, Prince Adesegun Oniru, assured the gathering that the project is a blessing, not only to those who may live in the city, but rather, a spirited efforts by the Lagos government to reclaim the lost waterfront to the ocean, the development he said has spanned 100 years.

Source: The Guardian