By Bolaji Odumade
In every society, people clamour for development; a change from good to better and ultimately a secured and more prosperous society. Epe, a prominent town on the northern shore of Lagos State and a few kilometers away from Ikorodu is not an exception. From all indications (oral and written), the town was founded in the 18th century by migrant hunter, fisherman boat builders on economic/ political adventures from Ile-Ife, Benin and Ijebu-Ode.
In the early days of its existence, water was a prominent source of strength at Epe as it supported business exploits of British colonialists. The Marina water front in Epe once had the presence of most multinational firms such as UAC, Lever Brothers Nigeria Limited among others. Many of these companies were engaged in buying of palm produce such as cocoa, palm produce, rubber, timbers and many other raw materials for local production as well as exports.
Complimenting water transportation then was the only major link road to the town, the Epe-Ijebu-Ode -Sagamu road, which was more expensive, tasking and risky. The commercial presence of some of these companies contributed to improved economy and infrastructure of the town.
Based on the economic importance of its lagoon, over the years, Epe has gained prominence through its famous fishing venture as well as the cultivation of cassava, maize, vegetables, coconuts, cocoa, palm produce, rubber which are usually taken to Lagos for sale. The availability of numerous bodies of water at Epe readily supports production of different range of boats. Big barges used in moving goods or pulling logs of wood are trademarks of indigenous Epe ingenuity. Thus, Epe’s commercial potential was a source of attraction to the early settlers.
Historically, Epe has a chequered history as it was somehow involved in the British-Lagos diplomatic rows of the colonial era. The defeat of King Kosoko and subsequent expulsion from Lagos by the British army brought a new lease of life to Epe community. The waterway was an available navigation resource that brought King Kosoko and his entourage on exile to Epe in1852. The aura and exploits associated with king Kosoko’s business exposure in Lagos was replicated in Epe. With Kosoko’s entourage of about 1,500 people and other European traders, the economic potentials of Epe received a great boost.
Prior to this time, Epe was only livelier on Fridays after indigenes (Ijebu- Epe) might have returned from their various fishing camps across the lagoon. However, the presence of Kosoko and his team of business associates brought about a great transformation to the town. Consequently, the town originally noted for aqua culture and agriculture, gradually translated into a melting port of commercial activities due to various external influences. This extended to neighboring lagoon front community like Ejinrin, which played host to the first post office in Nigeria.
In the sixties, especially shortly after independence, the searchlight of development was beamed on Epe. This was a period the industrialization policy of the defunct Action Group brought about positive change in Epe through the activities of ODUA investments. Epe Boat Yard and Epe Plywood became a major investment of repute that scaled up economic fortunes of the historic town. Epe Plywood Industry became a major player in the business of high grade furniture that could compete with any foreign product.
Interestingly, Epe Boat Yard, on the other hand, was responsible for high performing boat barges and yachts to mention a few. Sadly, the once thriving businesses generating eventually went into extinction due bad management. Epe Boat Yard may have died without any physical relic of its past existence, yet Epe plywood Industry, in the heart of the town, has remained a jungle of dangerous reptiles for over 20 years. The company that once contributed to the gross domestic products of Lagos collapsed to the advantage of Chinese furniture products which now penetrate the Nigerian local market.
A ray of hope, however, appeared in the horizon for Epe between 1979 and 1983 during the era of Alhaji Lateef Jakande who conceived the vision of constructing the Lekki-Epe expressway. The aim was to rejuvenate economic and industrial activities along the axis. Thus, Epe could be conveniently accessed through Victoria Island.
Aside the construction of the road, LAPEC a scrap melting factory at Sala, the defunct Lagos State Brewery (LAGBREW) at Agbowa in the Epe division were part of many developmental activities structured by the Jakande administration towards opening up the division for development. Sadly, Military intervention in 1983 was to truncate this laudable vision and ever since then further development in Epe was in limbo for a long period.
However, the advent of the current Akinwunmi Ambode administration has brought a new lease of life to Epe. Without a doubt, the past two years have witnessed major infrastructure development in Epe. For instance, the first phase of Oke-Osho road to Aiyetoro Round About was completed and commissioned. The construction was complemented by solid drains and functional street lights which restrict the activities of night marauders. Already, construction of the second phase of the road to Mojoda , boundary with Ogun State is currently gaining momentum. Similarly, power supply, which for many years, was a mirage recently got a boost.
The searchlight of the Ambode administration into the non-oil revenue potentials of the state has driven the government to identify the serene and alluring tourism opportunities that abound in Epe. With a number of historic landmarks such as the first ever post office in Nigeria, the second oldest sea port in Nigeria, the first comprehensive college in the state, the second police station in Nigeria among others, the tourism prospect of Epe is being further enhanced .
It is in order to further develop tourism activities in Epe that the State government redesigned and restructured the old VIP chalet built by the Jakande administration into a luxurious 72-room tastefully furnished apartment. The chalet boasts of a swimming pool, bar, tennis court, football field and gymnasium.
Additionally, current massive reclamation of the lagoon along Epe Marina is a project that cannot be ignored. Fashioned after the Dubai Marina, there could not have been a better location than the historic site which was the trading cluster for king Kosoko among the Portuguese, Lever Brothers, UAC, who were prominent in produce buying during the colonial era. The project is planned to provide infrastructure such as Civic Centre for special purposes, food venues, museum, Aquarium, Boat club/services, Dock Amusement and other interesting fun spots. All these are expected to stimulate investors’ interest and direct their attention to the Epe axis.
Thus, it could be rightly affirmed that Epe, the stone which the builders once rejected has now become the chief cornerstone. It now behooves on investors, tourists and residents to take advantage of this new development.
Odumade is of the Features Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa Ikeja.