Minister of Works, David Umahi, has accused Landmark Group of illegally coveting the Lagos Waterfront along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and leasing same illegally to people.

Umahi made this statement while speaking to members of the press during an inspection of Section 1 of the highway on Friday.

According to the minister, what Landmark referred to as a waterfront was never a waterfront; it was part of the Eko Atlantic, intended to protect Victoria Island and Lekki.

Umahi added that the waterfront legally belongs to the Federal Government by Supreme Court ruling and constitution.

“250 metres from the shoreline belongs to the Federal Government, and you know it is only in Nigeria you illegally occupy the property of the government and nobody will ask questions, so we had to ask questions in order to pass the coastal road through here,” said Umahi.

“ Eko Atlantic has taken part of the place given to them by law and we had to pass the coastal way within the right of our ownership.

“This is why it is essential you know the truth and the truth will set our nation free.

Addressing concerns about the loss of beach life, Umahi stated that Landmark should not be concerned.

He said, “The beach life they refer to was part of the program to protect Lekki and Victoria Island from ocean flooding, which has been successfully implemented.

“Landmark is not the owner of the waterfront, it belongs to the Federal Government and I challenge him to produce a paper that the Federal Government gave to him.

“What Landmark did was lease out those oceanfronts illegally to people.”

Umahi also addressed the demolition of the Landmark event centre, clarifying that only temporary structures were demolished. and their owners compensated as per the President’s directive.