*H.E. Senator Dave Umahi, Minister for Works accuses the Landmark Group of unlawfully occupying the waterfront said to be a critical area along the route of the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, leasing it out to others without authorisation, asserting ‘the waterfront legally belongs to the Federal Government’

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

The Federal Government has accused Landmark Group of illegally coveting the Lagos waterfront, a critical area along the route of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

绿帽献妻 learnt H.E. Senator David Umahi, Honourable Minister for Works, made this assertion Friday, December 20, 2024, during an inspection of Section 1 of the highway, one of the major infrastructure projects in the West African country.

The Minister also announced the level of progress recorded on the ongoing road infrastructure project.

He stated that the waterfront in question is the property of the Federal Government, as upheld by the Supreme Court and the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Umahi declared: “What Landmark referred to as a waterfront was never a waterfront.

“It is part of the Eko Atlantic designed to protect Victoria Island and Lekki from ocean floods.”

The Minister accused the Landmark Group of unlawfully occupying the area over the years, leasing it out to others without authorisation, Independent report said.

The Minister for Works further averred: “The waterfront legally belongs to the Federal Government, and we had to reclaim it to ensure the coastal highway passes through its rightful path.”

He, therefore, challenged the business group to come forward and produce the legal documentation of its ownership.

Umahi as well clarified that as shanties were demolished to clear the route for the highway, no permanent structures belonging to Landmark Group were affected in the process.

On payment of compensation to property owners

Senator Umahi, a former Governor of Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria, disclosed that as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government had paid N18 billion as compensation to all affected property owners along the route of the massive road project linking about nine states of the Federation.

In regard to concerns about the disappearance of beach life in the axis, the Minister also stated that the area was originally part of broader plans to protect lives and property in Lekki and Victoria Island areas of Lagos State.

He restated: 鈥淭he shoreline belongs to the Federal Government, and its use is essential for national development.”

Commissioning of first 20 kilometers of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway

Umahi, on Friday, also announced President Tinubu would inaugurate the first 20 kilometers of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway by May 25, 2025.

The Minister noted: 鈥淲e are confident that the first 20 kilometers of Session 1 will be ready for commissioning by May 2025, with an additional 10 kilometers in Session 2, reaching the Lagos-Ogun border, also completed.”

Explaining further the level of progress made on the project, Umahi said the Federal Government is set to review the highway from 10 to six lanes, and at a lower cost.

According to him, the review has become necessary because of variations in designs and interventions such as evacuation of refuse of 10 metres depth and backfilling.

He equally cited salvaging of some structures by the magnanimity of President Tinubu.

The Minister stated: 鈥淲hat we are going to do is that we are going to use part of that land to put a service lane for them.

鈥淲e are going to be reviewing this contract to accommodate what is not there.

“There are places like that Landmark where we have to build a retaining wall.鈥�

He noted that the entire 750km stretch of the road would be illuminated with solar streetlights with security cameras and points, besides trees to protect the road and give aesthetics.

Umahi gave the assurance that 20km of the first section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would be among other critical road projects to be inaugurated by May 29, 2026.

He as well said other key road infrastructure projects receiving attention include the Sokoto-Zamfara-Kastina-Kaduna Highway, Kano-Katsina Road, and the Northern bypass, with phased commissioning planned due to funding constraints.

The Minister added: “This administration鈥檚 focus on inclusivity ensures that every zone benefits from President Tinubu鈥檚 developmental agenda”, signifying the Federal Government鈥檚 determination to ensure transparency and progress in national development.

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