The year 2024 opened with enactments of infrastructural project to be carried on by the present Nigerian government which includes the Atlantic 700km Coastal highway which would cut across 9coastal states in the country starting from the former capital city of Lagos and ends at Calabar which leads into Cameroon.
While speaking about the risks of the project in consideration, a Lagos-based water and environment consultant, Similade Adeodun recently told CNN that, “It’s undeniable that the road construction will bring about significant impacts such as the destruction of wetlands, forests, and various habitats, activities like sand filling and dredging along the coastal areas also raise concerns.”
Landmark resorts which is located in Lagos, along the Atlantic was notified by the Lagos State Government of a futural demolition late in March.
The notification was thought by business mogul and CEO of Landmark Group, Paul Onwuanibe as April Fools’ Day hoax come early.
“One was amazement, second was concern and the third one was, ‘is this real or is this an April Fools’ (Day prank in) advance?’” says Paul, while being interviewed by CNN. He claimed to have obtained the land in 2007 before the plans for the coastal highway were drawn up and felt a mix of emotions after receiving the demolition order, which also urged him to file compensation claims.
Valued at over $200 million, according to Onwuanibe, the Landmark site is home to over 80 businesses and provides more than 4,000 direct jobs. It also generates over 2 billion naira ($1.5 million) in annual tax revenue, the company said.
Onwuanibe explains the risk of the project affecting eco-tourism and also Foreign Direct Investment said; “People who bring in money to make cities like this effective will be very concerned (with the proposed demolition of the beach resort). It will pose a huge threat to inward investment into the state and, most importantly, pose a threat to people who are already in the state trying to do things.”
“Without the beach, the entire ecosystem is at risk and is severely damaged,” he said, adding: “I have had widespread panic calls from my international and local investors as well as local debt providers threatening to pull the plug as they think this is material to our survival as a business.”
Adedotun, while suggesting what can be done to CNN, he said: “For Landmark Beach, which already generates significant revenue from eco-tourism, the government should explore robust measures to preserve the beach or consider alternative routes with fewer economic and ecological consequences,”
“I understand that the original right of way for the road did not pass through Landmark Beach… Perhaps, revisiting the routes to ensure minimal environmental damage and preserve local businesses should be strongly considered,” he added.
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