In a contentious move, the Lagos State Government has issued a demolition warning to Paul Onwuanibe, proprietor of the esteemed $200 million Landmark Beach Resort, a leading tourism destination in Nigeria. The resort, nestled along the picturesque coastline, stands as a beacon of leisure and entertainment, attracting over a million visitors annually.
Onwuanibe, expressing dismay, recounted receiving a notice to vacate the premises within a mere seven days, citing obstruction to the planned route of a 700-kilometer coastal road set to connect Lagos with Calabar. The resort, encompassing an array of businesses and sustaining thousands of jobs, represents a vital economic hub contributing over N2 billion in taxes annually.
The proposed demolition has sparked outrage among investors and stakeholders, with Onwuanibe highlighting the devastating impact on inward investment and existing businesses within the state. Concerns loom over the loss of livelihoods, jeopardizing the vibrant ecosystem cultivated over years of development and investment.
Moreover, international and domestic investors within the Landmark Group contemplate withdrawing their support, apprehensive of the project's ramifications on the resort's viability. With significant investments poured into the resort's infrastructure, including recreational facilities like mini-golf courses and beach sports amenities, the looming demolition threatens to unravel years of progress.
The Lagos State Government's stance aligns with its broader agenda to clear "illegal" constructions along the coastal highway's route, as announced earlier. While the Federal Ministry of Works collaborates on the ambitious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, tensions mount between development aspirations and the preservation of established economic assets.
As stakeholders grapple with uncertainty, the standoff underscores the intricate balance between infrastructural development and environmental conservation. With livelihoods, investments, and tourism prospects hanging in the balance, the fate of the Landmark Beach Resort epitomizes the complexities inherent in urban development initiatives.
