[size=14pt]Ocean surge sacks over 1000 residents in Lagos •Govt raises alarm [/size]
By OLUWOLE FAROTIMI

Sunday, August 28, 2011
Following fresh ocean surge that rendered over 1,000 Lagos residents homeless, Lagos State government has urged the Federal Government to come to its aid.The call, Lagos government said, had become necessary to avert more loss of lives and property.

Addressing journalists on Saturday at the Alpha Beach, Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure, Prince Segun Oniru, and his counterpart at the Ministry for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, decried delay by the Federal Government to come to the state government’s aid.

Oniru particularly blamed the recent disaster on the neglect by the Federal Government, saying the disaster would have been averted if the Federal Government had lived up to its pledge and responded promptly to help the state government on the ocean surge problem.

According to him, “you will recall that we came here about three months ago with President Goodluck Jonathan to show him the enormity of the ecological disaster looming on the waterfront. From that time till now we have lost about 10 metres of land to the ocean surge and people’s lives and properties are constantly being threatened.

“What we need here is permanent solution to the problem, like we did on the Bar Beach. That is why you see the whole of Ahmadu Bello Way not flooded. This problem is not a Lagos problem, it is a national problem. The Federal Government should come to the aid of the state government. Huge amount of money is required to bring about a permanent solution and the state government cannot finance this alone,” he said.

The commissioner lamented that the abrupt shut down of beaches in the state as a result of the surge had paralyzed tourism activities.

He said the insinuation that the surge was caused by the Eko Atlantic City building in Lagos Atlantic zone was wrong, saying “the problem is a global problem. The construction cannot cause ocean surge. It is the ripple effect of the hurricane in the Caribbean.”

Corroborating his colleague’s view, the Lagos Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the state government was disturbed to see Lagos residents reduced to refugees in their own country.

He observed that apart from becoming refugees, the people’s means of livelihood had been destroyed, and thus pleaded with the Federal Government and well-meaning Nigerians to come to the victims’ aid.

supoade:

I guess Madam Goodluck Jona is too busy with some other things in Aso rock. For those of you who voted for jona and not PDP, over to you.

This country called Nigeria is too much for JONA the fisherman to preside over. SIMPLE!

-UN bombing, BokoHaram
-Jos Crisis , Boko Haram
-Police HQ bombing
-Oct 1st bombing
-NO electricity
-No good Roads
-No employments
-Ecological Issue
and many many many more,

JONA is busy receiving Guests at Aso rock, making empty talks, sacking noone in the security circle,,

JONA can be best described as GUTLESS PRESIDENT WITH NO VISION, a confused leader with no direction.

The Earlier he wakes up from Mr FirstLady 's wrapper, the Better for him and the country.

supoade:

I guess Madam Goodluck Jona is too busy with some other things in Aso rock. For those of you who voted for jona and not PDP, over to you.

This country called Nigeria is too much for JONA the fisherman to preside over. SIMPLE!

-UN bombing, BokoHaram
-Jos Crisis ,  Boko Haram
-Police HQ bombing
-Oct 1st bombing
-NO electricity
-No good Roads
-No employments
-Ecological Issue
and many many many more,

JONA is busy receiving Guests at Aso rock, making empty talks, sacking noone in the security circle,,

JONA can be best described as GUTLESS PRESIDENT WITH NO VISION, a confused leader with no direction.

The Earlier he wakes up from Mr FirstLady 's wrapper, the Better for him and the country.

Beaf:

The problem in Lagos is a Lagos state problem. It isn't the FG's business, if the FG does help it would only be out of kindness; Lagos state has a governor.

aloy-emeka:

Bull, that means problems that emanate from Borno or Imo should be their problem. This is a natural disaster and can be controlled. Tinubu tried his best to control the ocean but it seems the FG needs to put in more resources to control the surge.

shawonlese:

With this ocean surge, is the Eko Atlantic project a reality or are the promoters swimming against the river?.

wirinet:

Please explain how Eko Atlantic City can help protect the large expands of coast line between Kuramo beach and Epe?

lannre:

misplaced priority, agreed Jonathan is a whimp, what is lagos State doing with construction of Airport when some school dont even have toilets, Now you calling GEJ that dont know if he is even in Govt or in power. Better find better alternative

Beaf:

Exactly.
If their governors aren't up to the task, they might as well resign. The FG can help since it has the money, but it surely isn't its duty or its business.

wirinet:

I asked you a simple question and you are getting emotional, I am sure you are benefiting from the project one way or the other. The question again, is the Eko Atlantic city going to protect th huge coast line against rising sea levels, stronger ocean currents caused by global warming?

Beaf:

Exactly.
If their governors aren't up to the task, they might as well resign. The FG can help since it has the money, but it surely isn't its duty or its business.

texazzpete:

And what resources are available for the State Government to use?
This is an issue affecting the national coastline. The federal Government MUST come to the aid of Lagos State. You're taking your sycophancy too far.

Beaf:

Stop being silly.
It is not the duty of the FG to save the Lagos coastline; afterall every other state has problems. The FG can pitch in for humanitarian reasons, but not because governing Lagos is part of its remit.