Beach Managers Lament Effects Of Ocean Surge

Managers of the Lekki and Alpha beaches in Lagos State on Monday decried low patronage due to ocean surge.

The managers told newsmen in Lagos that in the last few months, the surge had eroded about 100 metres on either sides of the beach.

They blamed the encroachment on shipwrecks in the Lagos Lagoon, and urged immediate intervention of the federal and Lagos State governments.

Mr Ezekiel Moses, Manager of Lekki Beach, said that the surge had led to a drop in the number of tourists visiting the beach during weekends and special events.

Moses said there the number of tourists to the beach during special events had dropped from about 10,000 to about 1,500.

Moses also expressed worry that the ocean surge was a threat to lives and property around the beach.

“Our business on the beach has been quite dull because a lot of tourists are becoming afraid of being swept away by water.

“Not too many people come around these days; there is low patronage; this is affecting our income,’’ he said.

The manager said the low patronage could compel the beach’s management to lay off some workers.

Mr Evans Basil, Manager of Alpha Beach, also blamed the surge on the shipwrecks.

Basil said that the beach, which used to be full of fun, was fast becoming a shadow of itself.

“Already, a large portion of Alpha Beach has been lost to rising ocean surge. Business was at its lowest ebb.

“The coconut trees that adorned the beach environment are gradually being swept away by sea encroachment,’’ he said.