The Lagos state government has outlined plans to transform the blighted areas of Oworonshoki Waterfront into one of the biggest transportation, tourism and entertainment hubs in Nigeria. Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mr Ade Akinsanya, in a statement, said the project will improve the aesthetics and security of the environment, while attracting investments in water transportation and boosting socio-economic activities in the axis, with the provision of shopping malls and related infrastructures.
According to him, 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,” Akinsanya said.
He expressed optimism that the reclaimed 29.6 hectares site of the project, which would involve revetment work to protect the jetty area, would also eliminate illegal dredging activities in the area. Explaining that the project will be in three phases, Akinsanya said it was part of government’s plans to revitalise and augment inter-modal system of water, rail and road transportation and housing development, noting that the Epe, Badagry and Mile 2 waterfronts have also been earmarked in the Master Plan for similar regeneration. He said that Phase One, which is the ongoing reclamation of the 29.5 hectares of the project site by Messrs Fountain Construction Company (FCC), would be completed by November 2017.