Lagos-Calabar coastal road: We won't demolish landmark property, no job will be lost - FG

The Federal Government has said the Landmark Beach Resort property is not standing in the way of the proposed 700-kilometer coastal road project.

The government disclosed that the leisure spot and tourism center will not be demolished to pave way for the road project.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, made disclosure on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television.

The minister also said no jobs will be lost due to the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.

He, however, explained that the shoreline around the landmark property would be lost, adding that no significant structure along the shoreline.

He said, "I was at Landmark yesterday to see what was going on. Despite claims that 12,000 jobs will be lost, I told Landmark that no jobs will be lost by what we're doing.

"What could be lost is the shoreline and the people that go to play at the shoreline. His facilities will be intact because we reduced the corridor by 50 metres.

"I saw that there's no permanent structure other than a few shanties along the shoreline that are affected. I told him that no job would be lost, and he agreed with me," he said.

The minister further stated, "Who owns the land is not supposed to be my problem, but the Federal Government (FG), by the Waterways Act and the recent Supreme Court judgement, gave the right of ownership of the shoreline to FG. 250 metres from the point of the shoreline, which means it belongs to FG.

"However, we're interested here because it's an investment, and we're happy with it. We are taking 50 metres of that shoreline, and it's irrevocable. I also told him if he's interested in the waterways, he should create one on top."

Recall that the Lagos State Government had issued a notice of demolition of the $200 Landmark Beach Resort, saying the property obstructs the planned route of the 700-kilometer coastal road project.

The proprietor of Landamark Beach Resort, Paul Onwuanibe, in an interview with CNN, said he was given a notice to vacate his multimillion-dollar beach resort within seven days for its impending demolition.