Landmark Group Appeals to FG as LASG Prepares for Lagos-Calabar Highway Demolition

The Lagos State Government is gearing up to demolish sections of properties belonging to the Landmark Group to make way for the proposed Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

The affected properties include the Beach Resort, Kids and Bay Arena, Members Area, and Lagos Beach Club, among others.

This move has prompted the Landmark Group to appeal to the Federal Government for intervention, urging them to reroute the project to its original path to preserve the hospitality and tourism businesses along the coastal right of way.

In a document shared by the Landmark Group, the company revealed that it acquired Beachfront Realty along the Water Corporation Road in 2007, with the original plan for the construction of the coastal highway to pass through this underdeveloped road.

The company is now seeking the government’s support in facilitating the rerouting of just about 1.5km out of the 700km stretch of the road to its original location on the Water Corporation Road median.

The Landmark Group maintains that the proposed Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road is a commendable project, but its construction leading to the destruction of a major player in the hospitality and tourism industry would result in significant socio-economic fallouts, including mass unemployment, lost taxpayer revenue, and other consequences.

In a letter dated March 19, 2024, the Lagos State Government informed the Landmark Group of the sections of its properties that are to be demolished for the construction of the highway.

The company has expressed concern over the potential loss of over 80 businesses within the Landmark ecosystem, which would create a void that would be difficult to fill.

The Landmark Group’s appeal to the Federal Government highlights the need for a balanced approach to infrastructure development that takes into account the impact on local businesses and the broader community.

As the Lagos State Government prepares for the demolition, the outcome of the Landmark Group’s appeal could have significant implications for the future of the Lagos-Calabar highway project and the preservation of the hospitality and tourism sector in the region.