Landmark Beach Resort Faces Demolition for Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project

The Lagos State Government has announced its intention to demolish a portion of the Landmark Beach Resort, a popular destination in Lagos, Nigeria, to make way for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

The decision was communicated to the proprietor, Paul Onwuanibe, in a letter dated March 19, 2024, giving him seven days to vacate the premises.

Onwuanibe, who acquired the land in 2007, expressed a mix of emotions upon receiving the demolition order, including amazement, concern, and disbelief.

The beach resort, valued at over $200 million, is not only a top-tier destination for both local and international visitors but also provides more than 4,000 direct jobs and generates over 2 billion naira ($1.5 million) in annual tax revenue.

The coastal highway project, intended to link Lagos with Calabar near the border with Cameroon, is part of a larger effort to improve infrastructure and connectivity in Nigeria.

While the government has offered to compensate affected parties, the demolition of the Landmark Beach Resort highlights the challenges and potential impacts of such large-scale development projects.

As the Lagos State Government moves forward with the coastal highway construction, stakeholders and observers will be watching closely to see how the project unfolds and what measures are taken to mitigate the effects on businesses and the local community.