The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has explained the reason for changing the original route of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which would result in the demolition of Landmark Beach Resort.
Umahi clarified during an interview with Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Thursday that the redesign aimed to avoid demolishing existing infrastructure along the original route developed by the initial planners.
“It was Mr President that started the idea of the coastal road when he was governor of Lagos State. Then he had the right of way. But you know the character of some of our people. Along that right of way, we have structures that are now totally built up. We have high-rise buildings and all kinds of stuff.
“People just think that the coastal road is just a standard gauge of 7.3 metres. No. It is a 100 metres corridor. So, we looked at the number of infrastructures we need to destroy along that gazetted right of way. We felt that it was not just about compensation. We have the feelings of our people.”
He added: “So, we had to do some economic indices. We analysed everything and we felt that at least, we have to be within the coast.
“Two, we are going to save a lot of infrastructure. That is what we’ve done. We had to redesign it to be along the coast.”
Addressing reports about an evacuation notice issued by the Lagos State Government to Landmark Beach Resort, Umahi clarified that discussions had been ongoing for seven months, not just seven days.
“They knew that was the alignment and they knew they ought to have evacuated,” he said.
On April 5, 2024, a CNN news report highlighted concerns raised by Paul Onwuanibe, the owner of Landmark Beach, regarding the Lagos State Government’s plan to close down the resort.
However, the Landmark Group later announced in a press statement that constructive dialogue had led to potential rerouting of a 1.5km section of the Coastal Road to its original location along the undeveloped Water Corporation Road median.
“We are pleased to announce that this solution aims to minimise the impact on existing businesses while facilitating the progress of this commendable infrastructure project,” the statement read.