Kuramo Ocean Surge Takes Toll On Bar Beach

Fun seekers at Lagos Bar beach on Monday expressed concern
about the low turnout of revelers as a result of the ocean surge at Kuramo
Beach.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who visited
both the Bar Beach and Kuramo Beach in Lagos, gathered that the level of
patronage was low when compared with that of previous years.

At the Lagos Bar Beach, the few picnickers that were there
were having horse rides, taking photographs and watching the waves, but nobody
swam.

Mr Effiong Ekanem, Chairman of the Bar Beach Tourism
Committee, told NAN that the celebration this year was done with mixed
feelings.

Ekanem, who is a staff member of Iru/ Victoria Island Local
Council Development Area (LCDA), said that the mixed feelings was as a result
of the disaster that occurred at the Kuramo beach on Friday in which lives were
lost.

“The festivities is supposed to be one with celebration but
it is one of disaster due to the coastal erosion at Kuramo beach and because of
its closeness to the bar beach; it gives us cause for concern.

“In fact, this year’s Sallah celebration could be termed
black Sallah by those of us who lost our loved ones in the ocean surge,” he
said.

According to him, the turnout at the Lagos bar beach was
unaffected by the disaster that happened so close to it.

Ekanem noted the presence of wave breakers and lifeguards at
the beach as well as emergency rescue facilities.

Mrs Toyin Ologunde, a food seller at the Bar Beach, said
that the turnout of people at the beach was definitely affected by the disaster
at the Kuramo Beach.

“The happenings have disturbed me because I lost a close
associate, and the turnout at the beach was definitely affected by the
disaster.

“Last year sales was about N100,000 every day but this year
we have not been able to meet last year’s sales.

“Yesterday, this place was full by now, but for today, it
may be the sad news that made people not to turn up like before.

“In fact, during previous festivals, as we are cooking,
people keep buying all we cook; but today, you can see for yourself that there
is nobody here,” she said.

Mr Akeem Adefala, who came to enjoy himself at the beach,
said that although the turnout was low, people were having fun.

He said that his children had taken horse rides, walked
round the shore and they were just sitting down to enjoy the sea breeze.

“The turnout is low and disappointing. Though I heard about
the ocean surge at Kuramo Beach but I wasn’t afraid to come to the beach.

“I am used to the ocean and I know that once I see the
environment, I will know whether it is safe or not. Immediately I saw the wave
breakers at the bar beach, I knew it would prevent ocean surge,” Adefala said.

Another fun seeker, who asked for anonymity, said that
regardless of what happened he was enjoying himself.

“I was here yesterday and I still came back today with my
wife. I believe that God is in control and I must say that I have enjoyed this
year’s Sallah more than that of last year.

“Last year, I did not have money but this year I have money
and a new wife, so I am grateful to God. This place was full yesterday and I am
surprised that today is so dull,” he said.

Another fun seeker, Mr Ibrahim Isah, said that he was
grateful to God for preserving the family’s life, saying he was unhappy to hear
what happened at Kuramo.

NAN reports that the deserted Kuramo Beach was occupied by
sand filling machines and workers of Eko Atlantic project as well as a few
policemen.

Mr Eze Azuka, a security man at the beach, told NAN that
immediately after the news of the ocean surge broke, the sand filling machines
were moved in to fill up the land.

Azuka said that the sand filling was to prevent water from
reaching the outlying buildings, adding that the shanties at the beach had been
destroyed to make way for the sand filling.