The management of Elegushi Private Beach has refuted the allegation by the Nigerian Navy (NA) that it is operating an illegal fuel depot on the beach facility.
The management, which, however, urged the Navy to retract the allegation, emphasised the need for responsible and accurate information dissemination, particularly when it concerns matters that could impact the livelihood of businesses and the local community.
It would be recalled that the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft, had in a statement last week, said it arrested five suspects and discovered an illegal fuel depot, which contains eight storage tanks of 50,000 litres capacity each, laden with about 57,000 litres of Automative Gasoline Oil (AGO); a tanker laden with about 7,000 litres; a bus with 30 jerry cans laden with about 1,500 litres.
However, the management of the Beach said that the incident did not occur at Elegushi Private Beach, but rather at Iroko Awe town, which is not in any way connected to the Beach.
Social Manager of the Beach, Olowo Yusuf, said upon visitation by the management delegation to the specified location, it was confirmed that the location does not share any geographical proximity with Elegushi Private Beach and the spot where the suspects were arrested was not close to the private beach.
“This inaccurate representation has already begun casting unwarranted aspersions on our establishment’s reputation.”
“Please be informed that we are prepared to take legal action to defend the reputation of Elegushi Private Beach if these corrections are not made promptly. We believe it is in our mutual interest to resolve this matter amicably and without recourse to legal proceedings,” he said.
Also, Secretary at Elegushi Private Beach, BisiriyuSulaimon, said the particular place where the activities and arrest was done was the former Lekki Beach, which is no longer in existence, noting that the area is not in any way connected to Elegushi Beach.
