The management of Landmark Resort Beach says it has initiated the refund process for customers impacted by the recent demolition of portions of its properties by the Federal Government.

According to a statement posted on its X account on Friday by Landmark Africa, the parent company of Landmark Resort Beach, refunds are being facilitated through the Landmark Citizen App.

While acknowledging the patience of their customers, the management advised that completion of the refund process may be delayed due to the high number of requests.

“Dear Landmark Citizens, we would like to assure you all that we have started issuing refunds to those who requested a refund of their money on the Landmark Citizen App.

“Please be patient with us, due to the volume of requests, this process will take some time. Be rest assured that all refund requests will be processed,” the statement read.

A portion of Landmark Beach on Victoria Island, Lagos, was demolished on Monday to accommodate the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

Minister of Works, David Umahi has defended the demolition, citing that the Landmark centre encroached upon the Federal Government’s right-of-way.

The Breeze Beach Club, Mami Chula and other beach businesses were also demolished in the process.

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Ex-Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, has explained why he embarked on some demolition exercises in the state.

Obi, who was governor of Anambra State between 2007 and 2014, on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has been in the news over his stance on the construction of the coastal road from Lagos to Calabar, Cross River State.

He said it would lead to loss of jobs and businesses and stated that, while it’s a good project, the timing was wrong as there were many abandoned projects in the country.

But the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who has been spearheading the project, accused his former colleague of inciting the masses, especially the Igbo of the South East, against the federal government.

Umahi, who was reacting to Obi’s comment condemning the demolition of Landmark Beach Resort, valued at $200m, owned by a business man from the South East, had said, “When you condemn people, you bring judgement upon yourself. And that is what he (Obi) has done.

“And I think he’s inciting some of the south east people that are not well informed. He is inciting them. And gets them into trouble. And he doesn’t go to fight for them.

“Wisdom is a defence. And I want our people to have wisdom because I am involved.”

Soon after Umahi’s attack on Obi, videos began to circulate showing certain demolition exercises the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party ordered to be carried out while he was governor.

Obi said the release of the video was mere distortion of facts and an attempt to stand truth on its head, emphasising that he stands by his action as governor for eight years in the state.

He said, “It has come to my attention, and I strongly denounce the distortion of facts surrounding my actions and statements during my tenure as governor of Anambra State, particularly concerning the ongoing demolitions for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal super highway.

“I aim to address these issues directly, devoid of political rhetoric, to ensure clarity for all. Let me be unequivocal: during my governorship, I made it abundantly clear that all structures obstructing existing roads and lacking approval would be removed.

“The circulated video clearly stated this, and I only initiated removal when construction had already commenced. Any insinuation otherwise is a blatant misrepresentation of the truth,” Obi said in a personal message he shared on social media on Thursday.

He challenged anyone to verify and “show me where the demolished structures on existing roads or ongoing businesses were not encroaching on the road and built without government approval while I served as governor.

“To provide further clarity, consider concrete examples. I decisively demolished the Onitsha North local government headquarters situated on the only existing stadium, relocated, and built a brand new structure for the local government office away from the stadium.

“This action was necessary to restore the stadium to its original purpose as a sporting facility for the people. Subsequently, the stadium was rightfully named after the first owner of the first football club figure in Nigerian sports, Chuba Ikpeazu, as a tribute to our commitment to honouring our heroes.

“Similarly, the Onitsha South Stadium, the sole local playing ground for the community, was converted into a local government office. Recognizing the importance of recreational spaces, I reverted it to its original status by demolishing and relocating the local government office.

“I then renovated the stadium and renamed it after the longest-serving Green Eagles captain, Godwin Achebe,” Obi said.

He said his actions were strategic, aiming to prioritise the repair and maintenance of existing infrastructure over projects that risked disruption and destruction. This approach, he said, aimed to safeguard the livelihoods of Nigerians and ensure the efficient use of resources.

He added that it is crucial to clarify the false comparisons drawn between his actions on Brewery Road and the current coastal super highway project, emphasising that he never proposed creating a new road that would disrupt existing structures.

Instead, Obi said he focused on removing obstructions on existing roads to enhance accessibility and safety for all.

According to him, the “ongoing destruction and disruption of jobs and livelihoods associated with the Lagos-Calabar coastal road construction sharply contrasts with my administration’s efforts to improve infrastructure while minimising adverse impacts on communities.”

Addressing Umahi directly, he said, “Regarding allegations of incitement against the government, I firmly reject these unfounded accusations aimed at tarnishing my character.

“My focus is on fostering constructive dialogue and inclusivity, rather than engaging in divisive politics. Claims of incitement are baseless distractions. I have always advocated for unity and advancement, refusing to partake in reactionary divisive politics.

“I refuse to be reduced to the level of those who wallow in ethnic politics. Worse still, I have never and can never descend so low as to base my political aspirations on any sectional or ethnic interest.

“My commitment to serving with integrity remains steadfast, and I encourage all Nigerians to unite for a prosperous future. In conclusion, I stand by my record as governor and reject any attempts to distort the narrative for political gain.

“My commitment remains unwavering: to advocate for the rights and well-being of all Nigerians, ensuring that development initiatives prioritise the needs of the people. Most importantly, I will continue to insist that our national resources be applied with maximum frugality.”

Minister of works David Umahi has flagged off the demolition of structures on the government’s right of way for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

Umahi told journalists on Saturday that no structure belonging to the Landmark Beach Resort was demolished, adding that only shanties erected on the government’s right of way were affected.

“Landmark has unfortunately made so much noise about this. I have revisited the place, and I can say none of his infrastructure is affected. Just the shanties are affected and they are bulldozed already. We are passing our coastal bridge within the right of way of the federal government,” he said.

“I have directed that the beach should be shut down for tomorrow and there is no beach. The place is owned by people who are sand filling it, and at the end of the day, there is no more beach.

“Those who are playing politics with it can go ahead. My job is simple: to pass the coastal road. It’s in a right-of-way within the coastal corridor which is the legitimate right-of-way of the federal government.”

Umahi, who acknowledged that some people were opposed to the project, insisted that it was necessary for economic development.

He assured those affected by the demolition that they would be adequately compensated, adding that documentation would start between May 2 and May 3.

Responding, the CEO of Mami Chula Beach Bolaji Ariyo acknowledged the project’s necessity for development, even when it causes inconvenience for some people.

He said, “We all hope this is the renewed hope that we all clamoured for, during the campaign, we all prayed for development in Nigeria.

“And some of us have so much belief in Mr President that he will do it well, and this is an opportunity.

“For example, I’m a Lagosian and this is also a development that has been set down for a very long time. It is good that Mr President is doing that right now.

“It is unfortunate. We all prayed for development, and in every development, some people pay the price and sacrifice for the development.

“You might be wondering why I’m talking like this, maybe because I was also on the other side before, so, I understand what governance means.

“I understand when a government is promising to make life easy for the entire Nigerians.

“Some of us are affected, no doubt about it, but those of us affected are not up to 0.1% of the millions of people that will enjoy the coastal roads.

“That’s why people like me, have taken it to heart to also support Mr President and the honourable minister to ensure that this road comes to life.”

Landmark Group CEO Paul Onwuanibe earlier urged the government to rethink its strategies in building a coastal highway connecting Lagos and Calabar to ensure businesses do not suffer.