The government of Lagos State has issued a demolition warning to the proprietor of $200 Landmark Beach Resort, a leading tourism spot, because it obstructs the planned route of a 700-kilometer coastal road intended to connect the state with Calabar.
Paul Onwuanibe, 58, told CNN that in late March he was given a notice to vacate his multimillion-dollar beach resort within seven days for its impending demolition.
Onwuanibe said that the Landmark property, worth over $200 million, accommodates more than 80 businesses and sustains over 4,000 jobs directly. Additionally, the company claims it contributes more than N2 billion in taxes each year.
The beach resort, regarded as one of the top tier tourism spot in Nigeria, receives about a million local and foreign visitors last year.
Onwuanibe explained he purchased the land in 2007, well before the coastal highway plans were formulated, and was left with mixed feelings after the demolition notice arrived, also prompting him to claim compensation.
Onwuanibe said that both international and domestic investors in the Landmark Group are considering withdrawing their investments if the beach resort, which features a mini golf course, beach soccer field, volleyball, and basketball court, is demolished.
The Lagos State Government earlier announced plans to start demolishing all “illegal” constructions along the planned route of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
The State Government served removal notice to the owners of the affected physical structures and other property within this category.
The notice revealed that announcements were published on March 15 and 16, 2024, detailing the construction of the 103km section of the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway by the Federal Ministry of Works in partnership with the Lagos State Government.
Nairemetrics reported earlier in March that the Federal Government has started constructing the 700-kilometer Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway, designed to extend through 9 states with two spurs leading to the Northern States.