City in Lagos State, Nigeria
Eko Atlantic
, officially
Nigeria International Commerce city
, also known as
Eko Atlantic City
, or the initials
E.A.C.
and
E.A.
, is a
planned city
of
Lagos State
,
Nigeria
, being constructed on land reclaimed from the
Atlantic Ocean
.
[3]
Upon completion, the new
peninsula
is anticipating at least 250,000 residents and a daily flow of 150,000 commuters. The development is also designed to help in stopping the erosion of Lagos city's coastline.
[4]
Its main objective is to reduce erosion, which includes future sea level rise and storm surges. On the Lagos Bar Beach, coastal erosion has long been an issue, happening at a rate of 30 m year in particular. Wave tides, littoral movements, and sediment characteristics are examples of natural causes.
[5]
Around 1960, man began adding nourishments to the Bar Beach in an effort to stop the significant loss of beach width caused by erosion. Despite being fed with enormous amounts of material, the beach continued to erode. The city of Lagos's expanding population is another issue, as it increases the need for space for residential, commercial, and recreational activities.
[6]
The private project developer South Energyx Nigeria Ltd. (SENL) has started the Eko Atlantic City Development Project to address this space shortage as well as the land loss caused by the erosion of the Bar Beach. This project involves reclaiming 9 km2 of ground in front of Bar Beach, just east of the East Mole.
[6]
A revetment with a length of around 8.4 km surrounds the newly recovered area to prevent erosion. Among other things, Royal Haskoning provides advisory services for Eko Atlantic City's marine construction.
[6]
The city adjoins
Victoria Island
district of
Lagos city
, and the Phase 1 area of
Lekki
to the north, while the entire Western, eastern and southern borders is a coastline. Eko Atlantic is expected to rise as the next generation of property on the African continent; having a total of 10 districts, spread across a land area of approximately 10 square kilometres (3.9 sq mi), the city will satisfy needs for financial, commercial, residential and tourist accommodations.
[7]
Eko Atlantic development is being carried out as a
public?private partnership
(PPP) with private companies and investors providing the funding, whilst the
Lagos State Government
(LASG) is a strategic partner, with the support of the
Federal Government
.
[8]
The contractors are
China Communications Construction Group
LTD (CCCC), a company that works in the field of marine
dredging
and landfill operation. Consultants are
Royal Haskoning
(traffic and transport expertise) and ar+h Architects. South Energyx Nigeria Ltd., a subsidiary of the
Chagoury group
, was specifically created to undertake the development. Testing of the
sea defence system
took place at the
DHI Institute
in
Copenhagen
,
Denmark
, where models were successfully tested for one-in-a-hundred-year
ocean surges
, and one-in-120-year, one-in-150-year and one-in-1,000-year storms.
[
citation needed
]
[9]
Overview
[
edit
]
Eko Atlantic will satisfy needs for financial, commercial, residential and tourist accommodations, with infrastructure in line with modern and environmental standards.
[10]
These standards will offer the city's residents water, waste management, security and transportation systems. The city will also have an independent source of energy generated specifically for the city.
[7]
Eko Atlantic is situated on land reclaimed from erosion and is protected by a coastal
revetment
designed by Royal Haskoning colloquially known as the Great Wall of Lagos,
[11]
a planned 8.5 km long barrier constructed primarily of rock and faced with concrete
accropode
armour.
[
citation needed
]
The Eko Atlantic City project received global attention in 2009, as the
Lagos State Government
and its private sector partners on the Project, South Energyx, received the
Clinton Global Initiative
Commitment Certificate.
[12]
[13]
[14]
Purpose
[
edit
]
In addition to providing a state-of-the-art business district for West Africa, the city aims to restore land lost to coastal erosion over the past century, offer a long-term solution to the erosion problem along Lagos' coastline, shield Victoria Island from ocean surge, and create job opportunities. Seven kilometers of revetment will also be built.
[15]
[16]
The city will have its own bureaucracy and be regarded as a separate municipality. It will have an offshore banking zone and permit investors to transfer money freely.
[15]
Districts
[
edit
]
When the city is finished, it will have 3,000 buildings and 400,000 homes for residential, business, financial, and tourist lodging purposes.
[15]
Ten districts will make up the city,
[15]
including:
- Business Districts
- Fall lights
- Marina Districts
- Downtown
- Eko Island
- Avenues
- Four Bridges
- Eko Drive
- East Side Marina
- Ocean Front
[15]
Pricing
[
edit
]
The cost of a plot of land is dependent on its size and location. Land is sold per m
2
. Plot sizes in Phases 1 and 2 start from approximately 2,200 m
2
and prices per square meter within this phase start from $1,150.
In Phase 3, land within this phase starts from approximately 1,200 m
2
mainly for low-rise residential houses where the land prices are at $1,050.
There is no maximum cap on the amount of land that can be purchased. Each plot of land can be used for a residential or commercial development or a mix of both as Eko Atlantic is designed to be a mixed-use city.
The plots in Phases 1 and 2 have been created to accommodate mid to high-rise buildings. In Phase 3, some plots have been created to accommodate single residential dwellings and low-rise developments.
Milestones
[
edit
]
As of May 2009, while the project was still in its dredging phase, about 3,000,000 cubic metres (3,900,000 cu yd) had been sand-filled and placed in the reclamation area, while about 35,000 tonnes of rock had been delivered to the site.
[4]
In certain parts of Bar Beach, the land being reclaimed can already be seen.
Dredgers
were working around the clock to fill the site with sand.
[
citation needed
]
On 21 February 2013, a dedication ceremony was held at the reclaimed land of Eko Atlantic, with
Goodluck Jonathan
,
Bill Clinton
,
Babatunde Fashola
,
Bola Tinubu
,
Aminu Tambuwal
, and
Ibikunle Amosun
attending.
[17]
[18]
In March 2014, David Frame, managing director of South Energyx Nigeria Ltd., the firm responsible for the development, confirmed that "The first residential tower will open in 2016".
[19]
By November 2020, a few buildings, most notably
Eko Pearl Towers
, had been completed, with several more under construction and at planning stages. The city had become an active venue for popular afro-concerts and sports events like the
Lagos City Marathon
and Copa Lagos.
[20]
[21]
[22]
[23]
Eko Atlantic City has secured an EDGE certification from the
International Finance Corporation
(IFC), a member of the
World Bank Group
.
[24]
Controversy
[
edit
]
The Eko Atlantic project has been criticized by residents living nearby, who say that ongoing construction works have caused
coastal erosion
and ocean surges/
[25]
Ocean water surges through living areas, flooding access roads and taking down electricity poles and forcing residents to relocate. The Lagos State Government is also being criticized for failing to involve the people in the project.
[26]
[27]
[28]
In August 2012, the Atlantic Ocean surged and overflowed its banks, sweeping 16 people into the Atlantic Ocean, killing several, and flooding
Kuramo Beach
,
Victoria Island
and other areas.
[29]
According to an environmental expert, "the ocean surge occurred as a result of the failure of the contractors handling the sandfilling activities of the proposed Atlantic Ocean City, to put in place measure that would reduce the effect of the surge on the environment".
[30]
The Lagos State chapter of the
People's Democratic Party
issued an official statement, blaming the
ACN
(now
APC
) -led state government's sand filling for the ocean surge. The party called for a stop to the Eko Atlantic project and immediate compensation for the bereaved families.
[30]
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
a
b
"Registered Free Zones in Nigeria"
. NEPZA. Archived from
the original
on 6 September 2016
. Retrieved
13 August
2016
.
- ^
Lizzie Williams (2008).
Bradt Travel Guides
(3rd ed.). Paperback. p. 87.
ISBN
978-1-8416-2397-9
. Retrieved
26 July
2014
.
- ^
Elumoye, Deji (26 September 2007).
"Eko Atlantic city Underway"
.
Thisday
(via allAfrica.com)
. AllAfrica Global Media.
Archived
from the original on 8 October 2012
. Retrieved
4 February
2008
.
- ^
a
b
Dada, Akinpelu (18 May 2009).
"Construction work on Eko Atlantic city to commence soon"
.
The Punch
. Retrieved
21 May
2009
.
[
permanent dead link
]
- ^
Ajibade, I. (2017). Can a future city enhance urban resilience and sustainability? A political ecology analysis of Eko Atlantic city, Nigeria.
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
,
26
, 85-92.
- ^
a
b
c
Bentum, K. V., Hoyng, C. W., Van Ledden, M., Luijendijk, A. P., & Stive, M. J. F. (2012). The Lagos coast?Investigation of the long-term morphological impact of the Eko Atlantic City project.
- ^
a
b
Dada, Akinpelu (17 March 2011).
"
'Eko Atlantic City Project has expanded Nigeria's territory ? Fashola'
"
.
The Punch
.
Archived
from the original on 18 August 2011
. Retrieved
28 July
2011
.
- ^
"Eko Atlantic - About Us"
. Eko Atlantic.
Archived
from the original on 26 November 2016
. Retrieved
20 February
2016
.
- ^
"ESTATE FOCUS: Eko Atlantic city, Lagos"
.
sunnewsonline
.
Archived
from the original on 12 June 2023
. Retrieved
12 June
2023
.
- ^
[1]
This document does not show which environmental standards are used, neither if Eko Atlantic is in line with any environmental standard.
- ^
"The History of The Great Wall of Lagos"
.
Eko Atlantic
.
Archived
from the original on 28 January 2021
. Retrieved
25 January
2021
.
- ^
"Fashola Receives Clinton Award For Eko Atlantic City"
.
AllAfrica.com
.
ThisDay
. 29 September 2009.
Archived
from the original on 11 December 2010
. Retrieved
11 October
2012
.
- ^
Akinola, Femi (19 December 2010).
"A Fairy Tale, Dream Home for the Super-Rich"
.
Sunday Trust
. Abuja, Nigeria. Archived from
the original
on 12 December 2013
. Retrieved
11 October
2012
.
- ^
Ayeyemi, Dayo (24 January 2012).
"Projects that will shape real estate sector in 2012"
.
National Mirror
. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013
. Retrieved
11 October
2012
.
{{
cite news
}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (
link
)
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
Olugboyega, O. (2016). Building Information Modelling-Based Projects in Nigeria Evidences from Eko Atlantic City.
PM World Journal
,
10
, 1-14.
- ^
Adelekan, I. (2012). Coastal Cities at Risk. Lagos City Report. Advanced institute in data for coastal cities at risk.
- ^
Gboyega Akinsanmi (22 February 2013).
"Clinton: Eko Atlantic City, Destination for Global Investment"
.
Thisday
. Leaders & Company. Archived from
the original
on 24 February 2013
. Retrieved
22 February
2013
.
- ^
Oluwole Farotimi & Maduka Nweke (22 February 2013).
"Jonathan, Clinton, Fashola tip Lagos as world tourists' destination"
.
The Sun (Nigeria)
. The Sun Publishing Ltd. Archived from
the original
on 24 February 2013
. Retrieved
22 February
2013
.
- ^
"Nigeria's Eko Atlantic open to first residents in 2016"
.
This Is Africa
. 10 March 2014. Archived from
the original
on 9 April 2014
. Retrieved
11 April
2014
.
- ^
"TIMELINE: From May 2018 to Oct 2020 ? How Wizkid kept teasing 'Made In Lagos' album"
.
TheCable Lifestyle
. 29 October 2020.
Archived
from the original on 5 November 2020
. Retrieved
28 November
2020
.
- ^
"Davido announces a change of venue for his upcoming 'Davido Live' concert"
.
Pulse Nigeria
. 19 December 2018.
Archived
from the original on 2 December 2020
. Retrieved
28 November
2020
.
- ^
"In Pictures: Pain and ecstasy at the Lagos marathon"
.
BBC News
. 3 February 2019.
Archived
from the original on 8 December 2020
. Retrieved
28 November
2020
.
- ^
"COPA Lagos… Evening of fun at Eko Atlantic"
.
The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
. 17 December 2016.
Archived
from the original on 7 December 2020
. Retrieved
28 November
2020
.
- ^
"Eko Atlantic secures first IFC EDGE certification"
.
Vanguard News
. 18 February 2020.
Archived
from the original on 23 November 2020
. Retrieved
28 November
2020
.
- ^
Okenwa, Stan (6 February 2012).
"Fear Grips Eko City as Lekki Residents Experience Sea Rise"
.
AllAfrica.com
.
Archived
from the original on 25 July 2012
. Retrieved
29 March
2012
.
- ^
Njoku, Jude (25 January 2012).
"Raging Controversy Over City in Atlantic Ocean"
.
AllAfrica.com
.
Archived
from the original on 28 January 2012
. Retrieved
11 February
2012
.
- ^
Iroegbu-Chikezie, Okwy (31 January 2012).
"Experts' endorsement for Eko Atlantic city"
.
The Nation
. Lagos, Nigeria. Archived from
the original
on 14 February 2012
. Retrieved
11 February
2012
.
- ^
Akinpelu, Dada (28 December 2009).
"Eko Atlantic City: Daring the waves"
.
The Punch
. Lagos, Nigeria. Archived from
the original
on 7 July 2012
. Retrieved
11 February
2012
.
- ^
Ezeobi, Chiemelie (19 August 2012).
"Lagos Ocean Surge Levels Kuramo Beach"
.
AllAfrica.com
.
ThisDay
.
Archived
from the original on 21 October 2012
. Retrieved
11 October
2012
.
- ^
a
b
"PDP blames sand filling for ocean surge"
.
The Punch
. Lagos, Nigeria. 22 August 2012. Archived from
the original
on 23 October 2012
. Retrieved
11 October
2012
.
Further reading
[
edit
]
- Brown, Brad (5 June 2012).
"Nigeria's most populous state poised to become a metropolis"
.
South Florida Times
. Florida United States
. Retrieved
23 June
2012
.
- Iroegbu-Chikezie, Okwy.
"A city behind walls"
.
The Nation
. Lagos, Nigeria. Archived from
the original
on 22 February 2013
. Retrieved
23 June
2012
.
- Akinsanmi, Gboyega (28 May 2012).
"
'Eko Atlantic City'll Generate 150,000 Jobs'
"
.
Thisday
. Lagos, Nigeria. Archived from
the original
on 31 May 2012
. Retrieved
23 June
2012
.
- Tautou, Annabel (21 April 2012).
"Africa Working On World's Biggest Project"
.
French Tribune
. Bouches-du-Rhone, France. Archived from
the original
on 30 November 2012
. Retrieved
23 June
2012
.
- Onyema, I. C. (18 September 2012).
"That Kuramo Beach ocean surge"
.
Business Day
. Lagos, Nigeria. Archived from
the original
on 4 December 2013
. Retrieved
11 October
2012
.
- New Yorker (magazine).
2013 article
- Wall Street Journal.
2013 article
- The Guardian (UK).
2014 article
- Ownahome.ng (NG).
2023 article
External links
[
edit
]