The Lagos State Government spent N37.5 billion on the Bar Beach on Victoria Island between 1950 and the late 1990s, according to an official. Mr Adesegun Oniru, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, disclosed this on Thursday at a media briefing in Ikeja.

“The past administrations in the state had spent $250 million (N37.5 billion) on the Bar Beach between 1950 and 1990s without solving the perennial ocean surge.

A permanent solution has been found to the ocean surge which usually disrupts free traffic flow and caused flooding of the area,” he said. Oniru assured picnickers and revellers using the beach of their safety, saying that the ministry had provided life and beach guards.

The commissioner said that physical structures would soon be erected on the areas reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean for the Eko Atlantic City project.

He said that the proposed city on completion would be bigger than the Victoria Island. Oniru also disclosed that the state government had awarded contracts for the removal of wrecked ships and vessels at Olomometa, Ichacha and Ilashe beaches in Ojo Local Government Area.  On the activities of sand miners and dredgers, the commissioner said the ministry had begun monitoring their activities.

“We have approved 19 out of the 90 applications received from Category A dredgers, who usually dredge with machines.  Also, out of 150 applicants received from Category B, the ministry had approved 47,” he said.