For the first time in over a decade of the existence of the Landmark Resort, its usual hustle and bustle, the attractions and intense commercial activities were absent during the Christmas holidays following the demolition of the multimillion- dollar relaxation spot and its several cozy beach waterfronts to give way to the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

In January 2024, the management of the resort, estimated at over $200 million, cried out against the plan to remove the relaxation centre for the construction of the 700km road, saying it was not the initial plan of the government.

The company called for an in-depth consultation to safeguard the growth of tourism and hospitality industry in Nigeria.

It stressed that the original construction plan for the road as part of the West Africa coastal highway was to go through the Water Corporation Road, which is still undeveloped. The company, therefore, expressed surprise that the plan was changed to now cut across its ecosystem ?with over 80 businesses operating within? it.

The company stated, ?Landmark acquired beachfront realty along the Water Corporation Road in 2007, and at the time, the original construction plan for the road as part of the West Africa coastal highway was to go through the Water Corporation Road Median, which till date remains undeveloped.

?The Landmark Group is now seeking government?s intervention 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.?

The company said it welcomed over three million visitors in 2023; ?a significant number of which were from the diaspora or foreigners who came to enjoy ?Detty December? in what is arguably the premier leisure and tourism destination along the West African coastline.?

But despite the appeal, the federal government went ahead to demolish the resort.

?What a journey! What we built in six years was destroyed in six hours. We are overwhelmed at the show of support we have received from Landmark Citizens and all our partners. Thank you for standing with us and believing in our mission and cause so far. This is not the end,? they added.

The above was the post by Landmark after the popular resort was demolished in April, turning the once buzzling and busy fun spot into a ghost town.

Unlike the last Christmas celebration when Landmark was full of fun seekers, both Nigerians and foreigners, people had to seek fun elsewhere as the beach town was deserted. It was the first time in over a decade that the resort would be deserted following the commencement of the coastal road project, which also affected other residents and communities on the right of way.

When our correspondent visited the resort, the environment was devoid of the usual hustle and bustle. However, fun seekers besieged Elegushi beaches to celebrate the festive season. The hike in gate fee did not discourage the people from thronging to the beaches.

While the Landmark and Oniru beaches have paved way for the ongoing construction of the highway, they opened more patronage for Elegushi as hundreds thronged to relax and enjoy the warmth and the coolness of the waterfront.

Weekend Trust learnt that fun seekers paid more to access the beaches. Before now, they only paid N2,000 at the main gate and accessed any of the private beaches, but now, those from age 8 upwards were made to pay between N3,000 and N7,000, depending on the beaches apart from the payment made at the main gate.

In an interview with some of them, it was a mixture of fun and excitement woven with the anguish of paying more, considering the present economic situation in the country.

Ifeanyi Nwabueze, who paid N3,000 last year, said he paid N2,000 at the main gate and N5,000 to gain access to the beach, including the N15,000 paid to bring the food he cooked from home.

?I was here last year, but now, things are different because you have to pay at the main gate and to enter the beach.

?Even to carry food inside, you have to pay. They charged us N15,000 to bring a cooler of rice into the beach. I have paid N5,000 to enter the beach,? he said.

He, however, said the excitement at the beach was part of his way of having fun.

?I am having fun. People complain that the country is bad, but we thank God for life. Everything is not about money,? he said.

Precious Omalicha, a lover of boat cruises at Oniru beach, said her expectation at Elegushi beach was short-lived because of the absence of boat cruises.

?I feel very bad because I like that place (Oniru). Coming to this place (Elegushi) was stressful; and Oniru beach is closer to me.

?And there is no boat cruise here, just for you to play with the water. And I am not a fan of water. I like boat cruises. The main reason I came here was because of the boat cruise, but unfortunately, it is not available,? she lamented.

Omalicha, however, said she managed to enjoy herself with what was available at Elegushi.

?I did not pay for what I expected. Since people around the water are fun, I have to stay because my money cannot be refunded,? she added.

Alex Ashade, who came to the beach with his family of four, including her sibling, highlighted the importance of fun at the beach, saying it helps to strengthen the bond with his family.

?It is enjoyable; and it is a good bond for my family. At least we have fun. This is my first time of bringing my family here,? he said.

Dan Daniel said his purpose at the beach was not necessarily for excitement but to express his talent.

He said, ?I am an artist. I came here to freestyle for people so that I will get to meet a lot of people. I came to freestyle and express my talent. I am not interested in playing with water.?

Daniel added that he met some producers who had shown interest in him when Landmark beach was available, saying there was no difference between Elegushi beach and Landmark.

?I used to go to the Landmark before it was demolished. It is the same cruise here. I got to meet some producers,? he said.

Also, Odunayo Olasukan, who was engrossed with swimming at the end of the water, described his expedition at Elegushi as fun when compared to other places he visited before.

?It was full of fun and excitement. I had a lot of experience, I swam and water did not carry me. This is my first time. If possible, I will come next year

?It is full of excitement compared to others. I have been to Eleko, Lekki and Kuramo beaches,? he said.

Blessing Olatunji, a forex trader, described the beach as a place to unwind from the stress of work, saying he goes to the beach for other purposes, apart from festivity.

?The beach is a place of relaxation after the stress of work. I am an artist and as forex-trader. Sometimes if we want to analyse the market, we come to the beach,? he said. (Weekend Trust)

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