Land reclamation benefits in Nigeria

Lagos’ financial district in Victoria Island needs a new home due to erosion. © Mercator Media 2012

Positive environmental benefits of a massive land reclamation project will see a ‘new Manhattan’ emerge on Nigeria’s coastline, according to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) produced by marine consultants, Royal Haskoning.

According to Dirk Heijboer, Royal Haskoning: “The project will have major positive effects in restoring and protecting the shoreline and, at the same time, minimal side effects.”

Steadily increasing erosion at Bar Beach has begun to present a severe threat to the existence of Victoria Island, the current financial centre of Lagos. Eko Atlantic City is an ambitious response to the erosion problem. Set to rise out of the sea on 1,000 hectares of reclaimed land, it aims not only to protect the fragile coast from further erosion, but to alleviate the crowded, traffic-congested conditions in Lagos.

The city is expected to generate more than 150,000 new jobs and aims to attract visitors from all over the world.

Full Story: Green Port

NB: Press Cutting Service

This article is culled from daily press coverage from around the world. It is posted on the Urban Gateway by way of keeping all users informed about matters of interest. The opinion expressed in this article is that of the author and in no way reflects the opinion of UN-Habitat.