Paul Onwuanibe, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Landmark Group, has urged the Nigerian government to revert to the original plan for the construction of the coastal road.
This appeal comes after the Lagos State government issued a 7-day evacuation and demolition notice to Landmark Beach Resort, stating that the property obstructs the path of a 700-kilometre Coastal road intended to link Lagos to Calabar.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS, Onwuanibe disclosed that the original plans for the coastal road had it starting from a different path – Water Corporation Drive – before it was altered to pass through Landmark Beach Resort.
He argued that returning to the original alignment would not only save businesses that would be affected by the revised plan but also conserve government resources.
“The original alignment of the coastal road was Water Corporation Road… The alignment was changed from Water Corporation Road to run- so instead if it running on the land side of Landmark, it’s going to run on the beach side of Landmark,” Onwuanibe stated.
He further explained that reverting to the original plan would be beneficial for all parties involved. “Our request is simply go back to the original alignment, nothing wrong with it. What’s going to happen is that it goes back to Water Corporation, and then it’s a win-win for everyone. They’re seeking to put it on the beachfront, and just immediately after Landmark, it turns back and goes back to the original alignment.”
Onwuanibe emphasized that the issue extends beyond monetary compensation. “There were no forms of discussions before the notices were sent out. In several discussions, compensation issues have arisen, and people are aware of the protocols and processes for compensation in issues like this. But I want to make it clear this is not an issue of compensation or money. I think, whatever decision is made, I think the wisdom of Solomon needs to be applied. This needs to be a win-win.”
Despite the challenges, Onwuanibe expressed his support for the coastal road’s construction, highlighting its potential to boost tourism. “What a coastal road does, it enhances tourism, it accelerates tourism, it puts tourism on steroids. And what it does, it connects the coast, connects different tourism entities, and allows people to move across a city, a country, or a coastline.”
He also spoke about the impact of the evacuation notice on Landmark, a business hub that has evolved over 17 years to become a premier destination on the West African coast. “It’s absurd when you see a letter like that that says, someone has built something over 17 years and pulls three and a half thousand people, over four million visitors that come here every year or three and a half million visitors that come every year, and you give them 7 days to evacuate. I couldn’t evacuate my bedroom in 7 days.”
Onwuanibe remains hopeful for a resolution that will ensure the survival and continued growth of Landmark. “I started Landmark 27 years ago in the UK in Europe. We’ve worked in several different countries. We brought Landmark to Lagos in 2003, brought this site in 2007, and in the last 17 years we’ve put everything into it. And when I say everything, I mean everything into it. So, it’s touched a lot of lives, and most importantly, it’s ripped out my life, this is my life’s work. So obviously, it’s important that I tell the story and I stay here and sort of defend and figure out a win-win.”
He also outlined the efforts that are in place to address the issue, stating that there would be a stakeholders’ meeting in a couple of days in that regard. “They’re progressing, and we’re speaking obviously to the federal ministry of works, we’ve engaged with the federal ministry of tourism, Lagos state ministry of tourism, Lagos state government at some of the high levels, we’ve met with the planning team, the planning commission, and the infrastructure team, so these talks go on. In a couple of days, there is a stakeholder’s meeting as well.”
