Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road: Landmark, govt mull win-win solution to avoid demolition

The authorities of Landmark Group have said that they are top level discussion with various arms of both federal and Lagos State governments with a view to achieving a win-win solution that will avert the demolition of their properties which notice was given to them a few days ago.

The authorities, who were reacting to concerns raised by their family, friends, concerned stakeholders, and well-wishers following the demolition notice which has been circulating on social media, say they are confident that a solution which sees to the development of the Road while preserving a proudly Nigerian business can be achieved.

The demolition notice, which was issued by the Lagos State government followed the decision by the federal government to commence the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road which is expected to affect several tourism and socioeconomic impact businesses located within the Road’s right of way.

“I wish to confirm that we are in active talks with various arms of the federal and state governments including the Lagos State Government, the Federal and State Ministries of Tourism, and the Federal Ministry of Works as well as several interest groups,” Paul Onwuanibe, Landmark’s CEO, stated on his social media page at the weekend.

Onwuanibe revealed that the group has received firm assurances that there will be no disruptions to business while they work to agree on win-win solutions including rerouting the first 1.5km out of the 700km stretch of the Road to its original location along the undeveloped Water Corporation Road median.

“We believe that with careful collaboration and consultation, a small number of other minor reroutes may be required to sustain the existing socioeconomic activity along the course of this Road.

I believe the Coastal Road is a commendable project by the government which will significantly boost the economy, and engaged consultations (as are ongoing) will help determine ways of developing the Road while preserving the Landmark Group ecosystem businesses that are remitting billions of Naira in taxes annually while employing thousands of Nigerians,” he said.

He disclosed that within the Landmark ecosystem are over 80 diverse businesses half of which are SMEs operating from a world class integrated location along the Water Corporation Road and, in synergy, provide a variety of corporate, leisure, hospitality and tourism services to the over three million local and international visitors who visit the ecosystem yearly.

Onwuanibe noted that these businesses are, in conjunction, spotlighting Lagos as a viable tourism destination on the global stage, adding that their location is arguably the most visited waterfront destination on the West African coast “Owned By Nigerians, For Nigerians, And In Nigeria.”

Going down memory lane, the CEO recalled that the Landmark Group began its corporate life in Europe in 1998 but pivoted to Africa in 2003 with debut operations in Lagos, Nigeria. The group, according to him, has invested over US$100 million in the last 20 years in the Nigerian economy because of their deep faith in the possibilities of this country.

“We have consistently proven that Nigerians, working together, irrespective of tribe or creed, are capable of delivering world class leisure, hospitality and tourism service to millions of Nigerians, the Diaspora and foreigners alike.

Our success story would not have been possible without some government support and particularly that of the Lagos State government. I take due note of the concerns of our over three million ecosystem visitors and customers and,” Onwuanibe said.

ngwaIgbo223:
You want to use our eastern region oil money build road and still want to destroy our business.

It won't work.

tollyboy5:

It's south south that owns the oil

Slytiger:

100%. Even Lagos produces more oil than Abia and Imo oil is a drop in the bucket. Even Lagos and Kogi each produces more oil.
Oil in Nigerian regions.👇

Penguin2:
The only saving grace Onwuanibe has in this whole saga is that the Minster of Works is an Igbo man that can actually influence the contractors to reroute the road.

If a Ronu from the Jagaban Lagos circle was the minister of works, it would have been Otilo.

I’m sure it’s been long their hearts have been bleeding that an Igbo man owns such an investment in Lagos.

Penguin2:
The only saving grace Onwuanibe has in this whole saga is that the Minster of Works is an Igbo man that can actually influence the contractors to reroute the road.

If a Ronu from the Jagaban Lagos circle was the minister of works, it would have been Otilo.

I’m sure it’s been long their hearts have been bleeding that an Igbo man owns such an investment in Lagos.

ngwaIgbo223:
You want to use our eastern region oil money build road and still want to destroy our business.

It won't work.

Artscollection:
Hate it or love it, those that came up with the idea of demolition of that estate was because of their hatred and high level bigotry but what those idiots didn't realize is that their kind will be more affected by that action hence the hastiness of their findings and seven days ultimatum but it dawn on them they will be on the loosing side. Talking of huge taxes to d number of people employed n some idiots where saying other business will spring up their, on a high way some people are just wicked !!!

Faiththatworks:
I don't understand this unnecessary hullabaloo about Landmark and his bar beach that he claims he used 200m$ to develop.
I guess this man must have calculated the ocean as part of his investment in arriving at the 200m$.
Landmark should go back and read his C of O if he has any, everyone is a tenant on any land in Nigeria,there's no total ownership of Land anywhere in this country.
That's why Government can demolish any property anywhere and pay a compensation to the supposed owner,I can count how many properties that were demolished in other to build the overhead bridge in Cele Express,Abule Egba,Ajah and many other places in Lagos.
I'm still puzzled as to what we can consider a pubic good other than a road going from Lagos to Calabar in less than 7 hours.
I believe the Government mustn't give into to this emotional blackmail by Landmark and instead move their caterpillars to demolish any part of the business that need to be scrapped for the remaining 17 million Lagosians and 200 million Nigerians who will use the Road.
I dread the day a citizen will wake up and oppose Government if it wants to build an overhead bridge in a city like ikotun egbe.
Emotions must be discarded if we will ever develop in Nigeria.
God bless Nigeria.

Penguin2:

Lol!

This one na Ronu statistics.

Even as we speak, Kogi is not receiving derivation from FAAC but Anambra is. But surreptitiously, Anambra didn’t make Ronu’s statistics.

But that aside, Imo State holds the largest cubic feet of Gas Deposit in Africa. And with the world going to cleaner gas, Imo will the most important state in Nigeria in few years.

But I’m not asking you to believe, you can go ahead and produce more of your fake statistics until reality dawns.

And before I forget, isn’t it a miracle that proponents of “na statistics we go chop” are now producing (flawed) statistics?

Xiaohei:


You sound like someone who has never invested in any startups, or invested in a real estate even if it’s a shanty! The ludicrous thinking of some Nigerians, even the so-called educated ones will never cease to amaze me.

tollyboy5:

It's south south that owns the oil

ngwaIgbo223:
You want to use our eastern region oil money build road and still want to destroy our business.

It won't work.

StOla:


You are still living in the old and decayed past of Eastern Region where NigerDelta oil money was being used to develop Enugu, and when the NigerDelta struggle for secession was lead by Isaac Adaka Boro, his group was violently quenched by Aguiyi-Ironsi and Ojukwu, while Adaka Boro himself was locked up for Treason.

Even the SouthWest does not hold on to the Midwest of Edo and Delta, the way you SouthEasterners have refused to stand alone without the former parts that are now part of SouthSouth with Edo and Delta states.

Is it a case of Inferiority complex or a need to return to the past when you fed fat off the minority NigerDelta?

oyatz:


I hope you know that major infrastructure you see in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of Nigeria were built on properties owned by other people but were demolished to build structures for greater good of the societies?

The National Theatre and Oshodi-Apapa express ways were built on some people's ancestral homes.

There was a town called Mosan on the place where Jakande Estate,Ipaja was built about 42 years ago, which was 'relocated' .

All the 12 Jakande Estates were built on previously existing towns/villages that were demolished and these settlements never recovered.

Slytiger:

100%. Even Lagos produces more oil than Abia and Imo oil is a drop in the bucket. Even Lagos and Kogi each produces more oil.
Oil in Nigerian regions.👇

christejames:
Everyone knows it's all a 'wild goose cry'



Landmark Centre was not in the original plan of the project, the original route is the Water Corporation Road behind Landmark but some mischief makers either from the govt (to get some money from landmark) or from some overzealous staff of Landmark (or even Landmark themselves) just to gain more publicity




Think, think 🤔 guys!!

Faiththatworks:
I don't understand this unnecessary hullabaloo about Landmark and his bar beach that he claims he used 200m$ to develop.
I guess this man must have calculated the ocean as part of his investment in arriving at the 200m$.
Landmark should go back and read his C of O if he has any, everyone is a tenant on any land in Nigeria,there's no total ownership of Land anywhere in this country.
That's why Government can demolish any property anywhere and pay a compensation to the supposed owner,I can count how many properties that were demolished in other to build the overhead bridge in Cele Express,Abule Egba,Ajah and many other places in Lagos.
I'm still puzzled as to what we can consider a pubic good other than a road going from Lagos to Calabar in less than 7 hours.
I believe the Government mustn't give into to this emotional blackmail by Landmark and instead move their caterpillars to demolish any part of the business that need to be scrapped for the remaining 17 million Lagosians and 200 million Nigerians who will use the Road.
I dread the day a citizen will wake up and oppose Government if it wants to build an overhead bridge in a city like ikotun egbe.
Emotions must be discarded if we will ever develop in Nigeria.
God bless Nigeria.

oyatz:



Ndi Victim Mentality, Landmark not an Estate but a Beach (a recreation centre).

kingmaster2009:


What quantity of crude oil do eastern region generate ?
But Soludo , Alex Otti etc can demolish as he like in Anambra and Abia state . Whenever there is need for it...but When it comes to Lagos state Una go dey play all kind of mind game or victim game to deceive some Yoruba people and opinions leaders in Yoruba land....I'm sure if the same landmark Resort Centre is in Abia state , Alex Otti could have demolish if need call for it , without any recourse ..
The better all these Yoruba people know how you play your game against your host the better for them.....
I remember recent demolition in Lagos state ...around Somolu/ Bariga . The Lagos state government demolish so many houses around that area ..just because those area are majorly owned by Yoruba people, there wasn't much noise ...but if the same was done in Okota , Festac, Ajao estate (Ibo populated area)...it could have been another ball game...

StOla:


You mean the same Lagos state government that grants approvals for every property development and land use in the state, did not know that landmark is owned by an Igbo man?

You guys are irredeemable.

You actually love being tribal victims of every government policy.