The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Eko Atlantic

  • Court refuses to stop Eko Atlantic dredging

    The Federal High Court in Lagos Monday refused to grant an interlocutory injunction against Eko Atlantic project dredger.

    Justice Jude Dagat held that the N3.7billion guarantee posted by the dredger’s owners represented good security for the claim.

    The judge also refused an application for the suit’s dismissal filed by the dredger’s owners.

    He held that the plaintiff, Mondinvest Limited, can maintain the action for N3.7billion damages.

    Three contractors handling the project urged the court to dismiss a suit seeking to stop it.

    The plaintiff is demanding the money in general damages for the alleged damage of its property due to the defendants’ activities.

    But the defendants, M.V. Breughel (sister vessel to M.V. Congo River), the Master of the M.V. Breughel and Dredging Environmental and Marine Engineering NV, contended that the plaintiff lacked jurisdiction to file the action.

    The plaintiff filed the admiralty case, known as in rem proceedings, for alleged coastline and property damage caused by M.V. Congo River and MV. Breughel currently engaged in dredging operations in the Kuramo Waters in furtherance of the Eko Atlantic project.

    Arguing their notice of preliminary objection, the defendants’ lawyer, Ken Okwujiako, urged the court to dismiss the suit for want of jurisdiction.

    “Our position is that the plaintiff, not being owners of the Kuramo Waters coastline, has no basis for demanding damages. The Kuramo Waters belong to the Federal Government. It is our view that the plaintiff has not stated any right it has over Kuramo Waters whatsoever,” he said.

    Besides, the lawyer said the defendants are agents of a disclosed party, which had already provided a guarantee in case of any damages.

    “We urge your lordship to strike out this suit. At the appropriate time we shall bring an application for cost,” Okwujiako said.

    But, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Adedolapo Akinrele (SAN), said his client’s property on the Kuramo Waters was damaged through the dredging.

    “It’s clear that the plaintiff has suffered damages and is still suffering damages as a result of the dredging,” he said.

    Akinrele, in a motion for injunction, prayed for an interlocutory order restraining the defendants from continuing with the dredging, sand-filling or reclaiming the Kuramo waters pending hearing and determination of the suit.

    A company, South Energy X, Eko Atlantic Project sponsors, has applied to join as a party to the suit.

    Justice Dagat adjourned until April 15 for hearing.

     

  • Eko Atlantic’s road network taking shape

    Eko Atlantic’s road network taking shape

    Promoters of the Eko Atlantic City are gradually living up to their promise of a congestion-free city, which will be devoid of on-street parking and traffic congestion.

    A second entrance into the City from the Victoria Island end on Akin Adesola Road, has been opened. Experts in the built environment have commended this development, insisting that the initiative remains very crucial for development activities in the City and its environs because it will significantly reduce the drive distance for trucks carrying rocks to the sea wall, located a mile and a half offshore, thereby helping to speed up construction.

    Previously, the route from the entrance of Eko Atlantic City to the sea wall was about five kilometres. This new access reduces the distance to just two and a half kilometres. Furthermore, it provides unhindered access to the completion of road works in Phases 1 and II of Eko Atlantic.

    An official of the construction firm, who pleaded anonymity, said over the next few months, further road works will be carried out across the following Eko Atlantic city districts: Harbour Lights, Marina District (inner and outer ring roads), Downtown, Avenue 1 and Avenue 3 (with direct access to Ahmadu Bello Way).

    This work comprises the build-up of the sand sub-base in all the above areas, with laying of the crushed stone base course in the more advanced roads.

    Going by available design, the Eko Atlantic City’s main Eko Boulevard and roads is being touted to be a role model for 21st century urban planning.

    So far, over 28 kilometres of roads have been completed to stone base level and 25 kilometres have been block paved.

  • Eko Atlantic City to take off next year

    Eko Atlantic City to take off next year

    The first set of office buildings at the prestigious Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, will be ready for occupation next year.

    The project concessionaire has offered some of the soon-to-be-ready office buildings for sale.

    Among the projects are the Afren headquarters building; a skyscraper, presently at 16-floor, likely to be completed next year.

    Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Adesegun Oniru, who gave an update on the city’s development, said besides the Afren building,  the Eko Pearl Towers, would soon be ready.

    According to Oniru, the project is no longer a mere idea, “it is now a reality as significant progress has been made with construction of infrastructure, such as storm water drainage, installation at 79 per cent, sewage pipe installation at 40 per cent, water supply pipe installation at 21 per cent, and telecom ducts installation at 27 per cent.”

    Oniru, who described the new city as “the most impressive urban development project in Africa,” said “the construction includes buildings owned by ITB,  presently at the 16-floor, and Eko Pearl Towers, presently at fifth-floor, which the concessionaire has offered for sale and has attracted a significant rate of subscribers”.

    The commissioner said of the land size to be reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean (almost twice the land size of Victoria Island), about 5,184,999 sqm, had been reclaimed as at October 2014, and 33 million cubic metres of sand pumped since the commencement of phase 1 of the reclamation in November 2011, while sand pumped in phases 1 and II was in excess of 58 million cubic metres.

    The project, with an added advantage of decongesting and protecting Victoria Island from the ocean surge, would host an estimated 250,000 people living and working within the city. An additional 150,000 people would commute to and fro the city daily.

    The multi-billion dollar new city project being undertaken by South Energyx Nigeria Ltd, a subsidiary of the Chagoury group, in collaboration with Lagos State government, is to be protected by an 8.4 kilometre long sea defence revetment, known as “Great Wall of Lagos”, to serve as a barricade against any surge.

  • Global recognition for Eko Atlantic

    Vice-Chairman of South Energyx Nigeria Limited, Ronald Chagoury Jr, has said the Eko Atlantic City Project is 100 per cent privately funded with independent power and water projects.

    The vice-chairman also said about 90 per cent of the infrastructure needed at Eko Atlantic City, registered as a free zone, would be ready by December.

    In a statement after the 2015 MIPIM, the world property market held in Cannes, France, Chagoury formally presented the Eko Atlantic Project to the international community.

    He attended the forum with the Chief Executive Officer of JD Forbes, John Okonkwo, the Managing Partners of Akin Olawore & Partners, Akin Olawore and the Chief Executive Officer of 3invest Nigeria, Ms. Ruth Obih, among others.

    At the forum, Chagoury assured that the Eko Atlantic City “will have reliable 24/7 utilities, such as independent power plant, water and sewage treatment plants, and a state-of-the-art fibre optic network.”

    He said Eko Atlantic “is 100 per cent privately funded. It is a registered Free Zone. It is now time for international companies to take a closer look at investment potential in sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria”.

    Delivering a presentation called ‘Sub-Saharan Africa – Let There Be Light’, Chagoury explained that the real-estate sector “is desperately short of housing. We have a shortage of 16 million homes in Nigeria with a shortfall of five million homes in Lagos alone.”

     

  • STAR hosts revellers to crossover toast

    STAR hosts revellers to crossover toast

    Last night, premium brand of Nigerian Breweries Plc, STAR, hosted what is considered the largest celebratory toast in Africa, with thousands of guests raising their glasses for an auspicious event and celebrations into the New Year.

    The toast, which held at the grand finale of the Lagos Countdown at the Eko Atlantic, attracted thousands of revelers eager to countdown with their favourite brand into the New Year.

    Amiable host, Gbenga Adeyinka, entertained guests with a flurry of jokes and urged the audience to raise their glasses just a few minutes to midnight with thousands joining in the ceremony.

    The special toast was done with a purpose-designed Star Magnum bottle which popped as the clock ticked midnight. Hundreds of thousands of Lagosians, tourists, music fans and celebs clicked glasses and sipped on STAR, as happy new year wishes took over the venue.

    Senior Brand Manager, STAR ,Ita Bassey, expressed appreciation to the thousands who had turned up en masse to countdown with the brand right from the flag off of the Beer Village on December 8th, to the Grand Finale. “This has been a special season for us, made even more so because we were able to share it with our consumers. It’s a very inspiring time for us. We are thrilled that so many could take part in the special toast – the very first of its kind in Africa- and celebrate the new year with us.”

    “From all of us here at STAR and by extension, Nigerian Breweries Plc, we are wishing Nigerians a very prosperous year ahead. 2014 will definitely be a year to ‘shine on,” Added Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc.

    The Lagos Countdown, in just two years, has become one of the most highly anticipated moments of the year, attracting thousands of Nigerians and foreigners to the Eko Atlantic venue.

    This year, STAR Beer Village was once again one of the most exciting focal points of the Countdown. In less than three weeks, it became a melting spot for thousands of Nigerians and foreigners alike eagerly engaging in the exhilarating line-up of activities such as Karaoke Night, Freestyle Wednesday and Friday, among others.

    Consumers were generously rewarded with lots of fantastic prizes, such as generators, TVs, bags of rice and other gift items.

  • Sand Eagles need at least three weeks to prepare for Copa Lagos 2013 – Coach Ejoor

    Copa Lagos 2013 is scheduled for the Eko Atlantic from December 13 till the 15th and Germany, Senegal and Lebanon have confirmed their partipation in Africa’s biggest beach soccer event.

    The coach of the Nigeria national Beach Soccer team, Adamu Ejoor is optimistic about the tournament but hopes that he will have enough time with his players.

    Senegal beat Nigeria in the Africa qualifiers for the World Cup 9-8 and Ejoor said his team did not have enough time to train.

    “We could have made the World Cup but we did not prepare well. Senegal are physically strong though we are tactically better but good preparation would have helped us but we just had eight days to train before going for the qualifiers. Our players are on their break right now so we need at least three weeks to get them in shape for the tournament, Ejoor said.

    Ejoor also said that Lebanon are going to be real challengers as it took World Cup experience to beat them last year at the Copa Lagos. “They are physical okay and are also good technically but we believe we still have a slight edge and also the home advantage, he added.

    The coach added that though Germany is an unknown quantity to him and his players, they would treat them like Portugal and Brazil, countries that they beat last year to retain the Copa Lagos trophy.

    Copa Lagos Season 2013 which is already enjoying the support of Banking giant FCMB will also have some of Nigeria’s hottest musical acts on the beach for three days with fashion shows also on the bill.