The minister of works, David Umahi, has accused Paul Onwuanibe, chief executive officer (CEO) of Landmark Africa Group, of politicising issues stemming from the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.
He made the comment on Monday whilst supervising the demolition of structures at the Landmark Beach in Lagos.
Not long ago, the federal government started the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road, which is expected to run through the shoreline of beach resorts in Lagos, while spanning through eight other states.
The project has since then sparked controversy and concerns about funding and also the businesses that would be affected during construction.
On April 18, Mr Onwuanibe mentioned that the government had not formally contacted the resort as regards the impact the project would have on the beach business.
However, whilst speaking during the demolition exercise, Umahi said the federal government only destroyed shanties at the beach on its 250-metre ‘right of way’.
He further said the Landmark CEO is “seeking attention”, adding that he does not have any claim to make in the demolition of shanties on the right of way.
“No claim for Landmark. We spared all his infrastructure. We don’t pay for shanties. Shanties were on our right of way — 250 metres from the shoreline,” Umahi said.
“He has no claim. We make all the efforts to spare all his infrastructure. That is why I said he is a politician and I’m an engineer.
“While he plays politics, I do the engineering work. I don’t know the attention he is seeking for when things are very practical.”