- Umahi Warns Obi To Desist From Inciting Igbos Against FG
Following the reports making the rounds by Landmark Africa, the parent company of Landmark Beach, that what it built in six years was destroyed in six hours, David Umahi, Minister Of Works, has accused Paul Onwuanibe, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Landmark Africa Group, of playing politics with the issues arising from the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.
In a post of their X platform, Landmark Africa lamented that an investment of over $200m that took six years to build was pulled down in just six hours.
READ ALSO: Lagos Calabar Highway: Umahi Closes Landmark Beach, Begins Demolition Of Shanties Along Right Of Way
“What a journey! What we built in 6 years was destroyed in 6 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 wrote.
Responding, Umahi said the federal government only destroyed shanties at the beach on its 250-metre right of way.
The minister said the Landmark CEO is “seeking attention”, adding that he has no 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.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Film Industry Reaches Landmark, Rolls Out 274 Movies In Q1 2024
“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.”
Meanwhile, the Minister has warned Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra against inciting people of the south-east against the federal government over the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.
Umahi spoke in Lagos on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting on the road project.
On Tuesday, Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, criticised the federal government over the project, describing it as a misplaced priority.
The former Anambra governor said the “insensitive” demolition of structures for the project was “heart-wrenching”.
Responding to the comment, Umahi said Obi supported the demolition of structures for road infrastructure while he was the governor of Anambra.
READ ALSO: FG begins demolition of Landmark Beach for Lagos-Calabar highway project
The minister condemned Obi for criticising the federal government over the project, adding that affected property owners are already being compensated.
“When you condemn people, you bring judgment upon yourself and that is what he has done,” Umahi said.
“I think he is inciting some of the south-east people that are not well informed.
“He is inciting and getting them into trouble and he does not go to fight for them.
“Wisdom is a defence. It gives light to those that practice it. I want our people to have wisdom because I’m involved.”
