Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Landmark Beach Destruction Underway — Umahi

SENATOR Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, announced on Saturday in Lagos the commencement of the demolition of the Mami Chula Beach Lifestyle, a portion of the Landmark Beach, to make room for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Umahi assessed kilometers 13, 16, and 20 to make sure there was a practical and affordable route to reach the coastal highways with minimal damage before starting the demolition.

He pointed out that because the landmark center was situated on federal government property, demolition was required.

Umahi said, “So with the utmost fear of God, gratitude to God Almighty and the commitment to President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda in our infrastructural development agenda in particular, I wish to flag off this demolition.

“It's in a right-of-way within the coastal corridor which is legitimate right-of-way of the Federal Government.

“Before the flag off of the demolition of landmark, I graciously increased the grace period by another seven days and yet another four days and here we are because the project stopped because of lack of demolition.

“And I want to commend the likes of Bolaji, incidentally from kilometre zero to four from what I'm seeing, he is the only one that is majorly affected. That's the only infrastructure I can see that is affected.”

The Minister emphasized that the project was essential for economic development, even though he understood that some individuals were against it.

He said that paperwork would begin between May 2 and May 3 and reassured people impacted by the destruction that they would receive appropriate compensation.

In addition, Umahi promised to be reachable all week to handle any questions about confirmation or payment pertaining to the demolition.

In response, Mr. Bolaji Ariyo, the Chief Executive Officer of Mami Chula Beach, stated that the project must proceed even if it inconveniences a tiny number of individuals.

He remarked, “We all hope this is the renewed hope that we all clamoured for, during the campaign, we all prayed for development in Nigeria.

“And some of us have so much belief in Mr President that he will do it well, and this is an opportunity.

“For example, I'm a Lagosian and this is also a development that has been set down for a very long time. It is good that Mr President is doing that right now.

“It is unfortunate. We all prayed for development, and in every development, some people pay the price and sacrifice for the development.

“You might be wondering why I'm talking like this, maybe because I was also on the other side before, so, I understand what governance means.

“I understand when a government is promising to make life easy for the entire Nigerians.

“Some of us are affected, no doubt about it, but those of us affected are not up to 0.1% of the millions of people that will enjoy the coastal roads.

“That's why people like me, have taken it to heart to also support Mr President and the honourable minister to ensure that this road comes to life.”