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Landmark CEO, Onwuanibe, addresses the looming ultimatum for the demolition of Landmark Beach Resort
The management of Landmark Africa has stated that discussions are underway with the Federal and Lagos State governments to prevent the scheduled demolition of certain sections of Landmark Beach Resort to facilitate the construction of the 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
Paul Onwuanibe, the CEO of Landmark Beach Resort, relayed this information through his X handle in response to public concerns regarding the demolition notice served to the resort.
Recently, the Lagos State Government issued a seven-day demolition notice to the Landmark Group CEO to clear a portion of the Beach Resort for the coastal highway project.
The specified areas within the property earmarked for demolition to accommodate the road include the Beach Resort, Kids and Bay Arena, Members Area, and Lagos Beach Club. According to the Lagos State Government, these facilities are situated within the proposed Coastal Highway project’s 50-meter Right of Way.
But amidst concerns and controversies over the planned demolotion, Onwuanibe said on his X handle on Saturday that his management is in talks with the agencies of federal and state government to avert the demolotion of the Resort for the road project.
He added that one of the options being considered is the rerouting the first 1.5 km 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,” he said.
“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.
“These over 80 diverse businesses (over half of which are SMEs) operate 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 3 million local and international visitors who come our ecosystem yearly. We are in conjunction spotlighting Lagos as a viable tourism destination on the global stage and our location is arguably the most visited waterfront destination on the West African coast: OWNED BY NIGERIANS, FOR NIGERIANS, AND IN NIGERIA.
“I take due note of the concerns of our over 3m ecosystem visitors and customers and I’m confident that a solution which sees to the development of the Road while preserving a proudly Nigerian business can be achieved,” Onwuanibe said.
Read part of his statement, “I wish to confirm that we are in active talks with various arms of the federal and state government including the Lagos State Government, the Federal and State Ministries of Tourism, and the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing as well as several interest groups and have received firm assurances that there will be no disruptions to business while we work to agree win-win solutions including rerouting the first 1.5 km 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. These over 80 diverse businesses (over half of which are SMEs) operate from a worldclass integrated location along the Water Corporation Road and in synergy, provide a variety of corporate, leisure, hospitality and tourism services to the over 3 million local and international visitors who come our ecosystem yearly. We are in conjunction spotlighting Lagos as a viable tourism destination on the global stage and our location is arguably the most visited waterfront destination on the West African coast: OWNED BY NIGERIANS, FOR NIGERIANS, AND IN NIGERIA.
“The Landmark Group began its corporate life in Europe in 1998 but pivoted to Africa in 2003 with debut operations in Lagos, Nigeria. We have invested over US$100 million in the last 20 years in this economy because of our deep faith in the possibilities of this country and have consistently proven that Nigerians working together, irrespective of tribe or creed, are capable of delivering worldclass 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 3m ecosystem visitors and customers and I’m confident that a solution which sees to the development of the Road while preserving a proudly Nigerian business can be achieved.Thank You all for your support.”
The Lagos State Government has said it would soon arrange a meeting with developers/owners of distressed buildings on how best to address the redesign and remodelling of such structures by November.
This was disclosed recently by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, at a function in Alahusa, Lagos.
Olumide said the prevalence of distressed buildings in different parts of the state was worrisome and needed the urgent attention of all stakeholders.
He said, “The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development as mandated by the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019, as amended, was willing to extend its responsibility for approving the remodelling of existing buildings to provide technical assistance to developers and owners of distressed buildings, especially on the design and remodelling of such buildings.
The Federal Government has instructed the contractors responsible for the 107km Enugu-Onitsha road dualization to expedite the project.
This directive was given by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during a meeting with MTN, the Enugu State Government, and the contractors, RCC Ltd and Nigercat Ltd, on Friday.
According to a statement released on Friday, the minister said he is disappointed over the slow pace of work on the project, he said, “Let me express my disappointment over the slow pace of work on that project. It is one of the worst roads in this country.
“Everywhere we have diversion; diverting from the one that RCC and Nigercat had completed, the contractors are not kind enough to even put stone based on the diversion points.”
He added, “So, by the reason of the launching of our Operation Free our Roads, it is now a violation of the policy on the side of the controllers and directors of the Federal Ministry of Works where we have vehicles falling on any project that is ongoing or where there are potholes on our roads.”
He also blamed the sufferings of road users on the lack of commitment and insensitivity of the contractors.
“The public must know that the President’s intention is not for them to suffer while trying to fix the roads, and it is their right to insist that contractors should fix the roads that they are engaged on,” he said.
The Minister commended the Enugu state government for their resolve to fund the construction of a 20 KM section of the road and expressed hope that MTN would execute the second phase of the project.
He noted, “Why the Enugu State government is intervening is because of the slow pace of work by the contractors and because of funding issues. The essence of tax credit is for funds to be made available. And so, I don’t see RCC going to keep their promise to finish this project in 6 months.
“My advice to MTN is to look for another contractor within that axis if they want to get the job done. Division of labour is even the best. While they are doing the road, and if Nigercat is doing a good job, you can give them greater scope to do if you want to finish that job.”
He warned contractors that the Federal Government would not accept phased handovers of projects and has phased out Variation of Price in contract administration.
The Ekiti State government has intervened to resolve a longstanding land dispute between the Elepe of Epe-Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Adesoye, and the Atolagbe family. The government cautioned against the misuse of modernization as an excuse to disregard traditional customs.
In line with the community’s traditions, the government has ordered the release of resources, including palm trees at Oko Oba Farmland, to Oba Adesoye for his administration. This decision ensures the continued adherence to age-old practices.
Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, announced the resolution in Ado-Ekiti. The decision was made after considering the Elepe’s claim to Oko Oba Farmland based on historical evidence.
Mrs. Afuye acknowledged the Elepe’s right to be the custodian of Oko Oba Farmland, citing longstanding traditions that support his claim. The decision reflects the importance of respecting historical practices and ensuring their preservation.
The deputy governor, however, told the monarch in clear terms that other princes and princesses from all the three ruling houses should be allowed to farm on the land without payment of royalty.
Mrs Afuye appealed to the community to comply with the government’s position to restore unity, peace and orderliness to the beleaguered community.
Oba Adesoye expressed gratitude for the government’s decision and pledged to foster peace and unity between the throne and the community, aiming to accelerate Epe’s development.
Representing the Atolagbe family, Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba acknowledged their willingness to cede Oko Oba Farmland to the monarch. However, he emphasized the need for all three ruling houses to participate for a lasting and traditional solution.
Agbeleoba expressed appreciation for the government’s directive, believing it will contribute to resolving the long-standing conflict.
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