Works Minister Dave Umahi has said nobody can intimidate the Federal Government over the right of way of the Lagos-Calabar highway project.

Umahi, who spoke on a national television last night, stressed that the Federal Government owns the right of way of the nation’s coastal roads.

Last month, the minister announced the progress of work on the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

According to him, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the project and it will be completed in sections.

Umahi said Section One of the Phase One would be from Ahmadu Bello Way on Victoria Island to Lekki Phase 1, being undertaken by Hitech Construction Company.

The 700-kilometre project will lead to several demolitions along the coastline.

One of those to be affected by the demolition is a tourism company, Landmark Group.

The Lagos State government recently issued a seven-day evacuation and demolition notice of the section of the Beach Resort to make way for the coastal highway was issued to the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Paul Onwuanibe,.

Parts of the property, including the Beach Resort, Lagos Beach Club, Members Area, Kids and Bay Arena, would be demolished to make room for the road, according to the state government.

Onwuanibe has threatened to prevent the government from demolishing the affected property.

But Umahi, who queried the right of occupancy the firm has to the site, said: “Neither the owner nor the firm was even given the right of way. They just took advantage of the available spaces and annexed them to themselves.

“It must be understood that the coastal corridor, by reason of the Federal Government Act and the recent Supreme Court judgment, belongs to the Federal Government.

“As it is, the design does not affect the main structure of Landmark Group.

“I have been told by my Controller (of Works) in Lagos that he (Onwuanibe) was not even given the right, but he just took advantage of the spaces available and he annexed the shoreline.

“The Federal Government owns the shoreline up to 250 metres of the ocean. So, I wouldn’t know how he got to the place.”

On why the government did not see the need to stop Landmark earlier, Umahi said: “It is common that people take laws into their hands and take over landed property not belonging to them.

“The point is: how did he go there? Who gave him the right of way? Instead of him going to the press, the first thing he should have done is to approach the Ministry of Works.

“I can tell you that I won’t be intimidated,” he said.

Also, Onwuanibe, who spoke on Arise TV, urged the Federal Government to revert the coastline road’s development to its original alignment before rerouting it to the Landmark beachside path.

He said: “The original alignment of the coastal road was Water Corporation Road. I mean, you had the picture on your screen, and it actually showed quite clearly the Water Corporation Road, the two feed-in lanes, and then the medium that was meant to house it.

“Then there’s Landmark, the beach, and the sea. The alignment was changed from Water Corporation Road to run; so instead, if it runs on the land side of Landmark, it’s going to run on the beach side of Landmark.

“That’s where this issue came up. It’s that the alignment was changed. Our request is simply to go back to the original alignment. There’s nothing wrong with it.

“What’s going to happen is that it goes back to the Water Corporation and then it’s a win-win for everyone. They’re seeking to put it on the beachfront. Just immediately after Landmark, it turns back and goes back to the original alignment.” (The Nation)

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