The House of Representatives Committee on Works has expressed satisfaction with the Shoreline Protection project implementation at Marina in Lagos State.
The committee described the project as a crucial intervention.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Akin Alabi, gave the project a “passmark” during an inspection on Monday.
He noted the importance of the project in safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Alabi specifically highlighted that the completed work would protect the Blue Line Rail of Lagos State and the Outer Marina Road.
He urged the contractor to ensure the project would be completed swiftly.
“As you have heard, the last time this was done was over 40 years ago since it was put there.
“Because of lack of maintenance culture, there has not been subsequent maintenance, and we have got to this point where there has to be an intervention, else we are going to lose a lot of assets on this road,” Alabi said.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Works, under the leadership of the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, for prioritising the project.
He also acknowledged the diligent work of the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha.
On her part, Kesha explained that the Shoreline Protection project was 30 per cent completed and was designed to secure the road and the Blue Line Rail for at least the next 25 years.
She said: “As of the moment, the percentage of permanent work that has been completed is about 30 per cent; so, it has about 70 per cent more to go, and it still has time on its side.”
She emphasised the high quality of work being done, explaining the reinforcement strategy involving the existing and new concrete sheet piles to enhance the shoreline’s resilience.
“The quality of work here is top-notch. There is no compromise here.
“You can see that the existing sheet piles gave way. That was why we need to do another one, and we are not doing away with the old one, which are the metal ones that we saw.
“We are doing another concrete behind it, and then we are connecting the two so that there is more rigidity, more connection between the old and the new. Then, this shoreline can be protected,” she said.
Kesha emphasised the long-term benefits of the project, saying that non-protection of the Outer Marina Road would make erosion to catch up with it in the next five to 10 years.
“With what we are doing here now, the lifespan of this road has increased by more than 25 years; so in the next 25 years, the investment of Lagos State as part of the Blue Line Rail—we will protect it. That is the whole essence of this.”
After inspecting the shoreline protection, the House of Representatives Committee on Works inspected the security infrastructure installed under the Third Mainland Bridge.
The 24-hour surveillance facility covers the stretch from Oworonshoki to Falomo Bridge.
Alabi lauded the contractor and the Federal Ministry of Works for the initiative, describing it as a strategic move to significantly reduce crime in the area.
He affirmed that the project demonstrated the responsible use of funds appropriated by the parliament.
“This is what we like to see. When parliament appropriates money, we want to see the results of the money we appropriated so that when you come back for more, we won’t have a reason to deny you,” Alabi said.
He conveyed the support of the Speaker of the House, Mr Abbas Tajudeen.
“I am here speaking with the mandate of the Speaker, Honourable Abbas Tajudeen, GCON, to ascertain the level of work here, and I have zero complaint.”
Alabi urged speedy completion of the remaining aspects of the security infrastructure, noting its potential impact on curbing criminal activities.
“That little part remaining, please do it as soon as possible.
“The bandits, the thieves, the terrible people – the bad people – they know that that part has not been done; so, they might want to concentrate their theft and illegal activities on that side.
“The earlier we complete it, the better. This is definitely going to reduce crime by a large percentage,” he said.
Responfing, Kesha reiterated that the security infrastructure was an integral part of the ongoing upgrade of the Third Mainland Bridge, which was nearing completion.
