The Landmark beach saga is all Nigerians have been talking about since Monday, when a portion of Landmark Beach, situated on Victoria Island, Lagos, was demolished to make the way for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has been on the forefront of justifying the demolition, stressing the importance of removing the landmark centre due to its location on the Federal Government’s Right-of-Way.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government began paying compensation to property owners affected by the demolition on Wednesday, May 1.
Asides from Landmark Beach, here are other beach businesses that were affected by the demolition operations:
1. Mami Chula Beach
Mami Chula Beach had its grand opening earlier this year, in February and was situated within the Oniru Beach area. The beach provided a high-end experience featuring a gourmet restaurant, a chic rooftop lounge, and a beachside bar
2.Breeze Beach Club
Breeze Beach Club had been located in Victoria Island, Lagos, and had a family-friendly atmosphere that made it a top-choice for visitors looking for a relaxing time away from their homes.
3.Moist beach
Nestled in Victoria Island, this private beach had been a popular spot for islanders and visitors alike and it offered various amenities including a restaurant, bar/lounge, pool, open-air terrace and nightclub.
4.G12 Oniru Beach
This beach situated in Oniru offered visitors a breathtaking view and an illusion of escape with its array of recreational activities.
5. Xchange Lagos
Xchange Lagos had also been located at Oniru Private Beach, and it offered a diverse amenities, including water sports, seaside lounges, a restaurant, beachfront apartments, cabanas, and a colourful bar.
Why it matters:
Although the construction of the coastal highway is expected to reap long-term benefits, some of which include improved transportation, increased tourism, and enhanced economic opportunities for the region as a whole, the short time frame given for the beach businesses to vacate the area should be questioned.
The short notice given (7 days for Landmark Beach) deprived the affected businesses and their owners of adequate time to make alternative arrangements and/or seek legal recourse, which is unfair to them.
In addition, the time frame of the notice raised unanswered questions about the transparency and accountability of the government’s decision-making process, as it excluded the affected parties during its duration.
Bottom line:
Landmark Beach and the five businesses highlighted here are being compensated for the demolition of their properties but one can argue for their mental well-being of their owners at this time. Some of these businesses have been open for a long time, what will then happen to the jobs that have been lost as a result of the demolition and the lives now permanently affected by it?
