Permit us to begin this article by first consoling our dear beach lovers, especially those who patronise Landmark Beach.
You see, the renowned Landmark Beach in Victoria Island, Lagos State, is undergoing a notable transformation.
This is due to the ongoing demolition for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway which began on Monday.
Now, people who are regular fun seekers at this beach will miss their usual experience.
They will be left with nothing, but memories of the fun-filled beach.
But then, it is not for nothing, as a matter of fact, it is for the greater good.
It was the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who ordered the closure of the beach starting on Sunday.
According to him, the demolition would not affect any infrastructure.
The Right Of Way
He claimed that the landmark centre had to be demolished because it was situated on the right of way of the federal government.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Korede Keisha, also spoke about the demolition.
To her, the team will begin removing any property that has been marked for demolition.
This includes anything that falls within the right of way of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which will be demolished.
She further echoed that residents whose houses were marked for demolition should come to the ministry’s secretariat in Lagos.
That is where they will address any procedural requirements.
Diverse Opinions
The ongoing demolition has sparked diverse opinions. For instance, Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) sees it as an insignificant move.
Meanwhile, some people are backing the anticipated infrastructure project benefits.
There are others who are heartbroken over the development, as they mourn the loss of a beloved recreational hotspot.
These are the people we sympathised with at the beginning of this article.
There is so much that accompanies this project, if you don’t mind, let’s explore some of them.
1. Project Initiation
The demolition marks the beginning of preparations for the development of a 700-kilometer coastal highway linking Lagos with nine other coastal states.
2. Project Scale
This undertaking stands as Nigeria’s most extensive single infrastructure project and will unfold gradually over several phases.
3. Timeline and Budget
As per Umahi’s announcement, the construction period spans eight years, with an estimated cost of ₦15 trillion.
It’s projected that each kilometer of road will require ₦4 billion in investment.
4. Affected Structures
The federal government assures Nigerians that only structures encroaching on the designated right-of-way will face demolition. These are mainly informal settlements.
Also, the government says the primary Landmark Beach Resort buildings will remain intact.
Also Read: Peter Obi Calls Lagos-Calabar Highway Project “Insensitive”
5. Compensation Arrangements
Although David Umahi has confirmed that compensation will be provided, specific details regarding this aspect is still pending disclosure.
