Landmark Employees Protest as FG Commences Sand Filling for Lagos-Calabar Highway

The federal government has initiated the sand filling process for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, leading to a protest by employees of the Landmark Beach Resort in the Oniru area of Lagos.

The 700-kilometer highway, expected to run through nine states with a railroad in the middle, has sparked controversy due to its potential impact on the Landmark Beach Resort and its employees.

Scores of employees at the beach resort took to the streets on Wednesday, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “#SaveLandmarkBeachResort” and “Save Our Jobs.”

The protest comes in the wake of the government’s decision to commence the sand filling process, despite concerns raised by the resort’s management and stakeholders.

Earlier this month, Dave Umahi, the minister of works, assured that the project would not affect the Landmark facilities, explaining that the project corridor has been reduced to 50 meters and that only the shoreline could be lost.

However, this has done little to assuage the concerns of the resort’s management and employees.

Paul Onwuanibe, the chief executive officer of Landmark Africa, has expressed his reservations about the project, stating that the original plan for the coastal highway did not include the beachfront.

He emphasized that the alignment of the highway was changed to run along the beach side of Landmark, potentially jeopardizing the resort’s business and the jobs of its employees.

In an effort to find a resolution, Onwuanibe has been in active talks with both the state and federal governments.

He has taken to X to express his concerns and seek public support for the resort’s cause.

On X, Onwuanibe described the highway as a “laudable project that should enhance tourism rather than destroy it,” highlighting the importance of finding a solution that benefits all parties involved.

The controversy surrounding the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway has also attracted the attention of prominent political figures, with former vice-president Atiku Abubakar accusing President Bola Tinubu of prioritizing his personal business interests over the welfare of Nigerians.

Abubakar claims that the project will result in the loss of over 12,000 direct and indirect jobs and more than $200 million in investments.

As the sand filling process continues, the future of the Landmark Beach Resort and its employees remains uncertain.

The federal government’s decision to proceed with the project has been met with resistance and concern, and it remains to be seen whether a mutually beneficial solution can be found.