As a wave of sea encroachment settles on Oworonshoki waterfront in Lagos, Nigeria, GBENGA ADENIJI and TOLUWANI ENIOLA examine the fears of dwellers on future effects on the environment and the cloud of uncertainty over fishing in the area and beyond
It was 2.35pm. The wet clothes on Kahome Modu, his weary face and strained feet as he dragged them out of a wooden boat stationed at the seashore exposed his fatigue.
He was on water fishing for over eight hours, but his catch for the day made him sad. They were frustratingly paltry compared to the usual whenever he went fishing.
Stretching his arms as he yawned sharply, he asked his companion, a boy, observably mature in the fishing business, to pack the fishes in the boat.
I am very tired. The only thing I need now is to have a bath and sleep. This work is becoming stressful and I have no other job I know, he said.
Modu is one of the fishermen at Ebute Eleja (seashore of fish) in the Ilaje area tucked in the Bariga Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
SUNDAY PUNCH gathered that the voyage of fishermen at Ebute Eleja has hit a lull since the start of the sand filling project at Oworonshoki waterfront by the state government. Oworonshoki is situated just at the mainland end of the Third Mainland Bridge.
Modu said, The sand filling at Oworonshoki waterfront shifted clay and silt to our side of the sea. We can no longer fish nearby. It is now harder paddling our canoes because of the mud. Before now, two persons could get a canoe on the sea but now, about four people do that because the mud has replaced water and it drags back the canoe.
We know it is the price we have to pay for being poor and living by the sea. But we have to eat since we have no other means of livelihood. I left for the sea at 5am and because the sand filling at Oworonshoki no longer allows us to fish nearby, I went as far as Agboyi Ketu. Sadly, I came back with little fishes after several hours on the sea.
The Lagos State Government last year disclosed that the waterfront would be transformed into one of the biggest entertainment hubs in Nigeria, adding that it would improve the security of the environment and attract investments in water transport.
It added that the entertainment and mega ferry terminal site would divert some of the heavy human and vehicular traffic away from the Lagos Island.
Specifically, it stated that commuters, transiting through the terminal, would not only enjoy state-of-the-art infrastructure, but also be able to park and cruise in the modern jetty, thereby reducing the carbon emission level and travel time within the city.
The government explained that the project would be in three phases: the phase one bordered on the reclamation of the 29.5 hectares of the project site expected to be completed by November, 2017.
It further stated that the phase two would involve the provision of shoreline protection and reconstruction of 2.8 kilometre Ariyo Street as an alternative road running under the Third Mainland Bridge along with other infrastructure due for completion by June 2018.
According to the government, the third phase to be financed by public-private partnership, will involve the construction of the mega jetty and bus terminal with entertainment and tourism facilities like boutiques, hotels, as well as a 1000-capacity car park.
1971-2018 The Punch newspaper