A team from the Landmark group landed in Port Harcourt last week carrying a N10 billion investment fund aimed at transforming the long‑neglected Port Harcourt Tourist Beach into a world‑class destination. The company disclosed that an initial N2.5 billion will be deployed in Rivers State, with underground work already under way and surface construction slated to start soon.
A milestone was reached on Wednesday, 8 April 2026, when minor works were completed and a final approval was given for full‑scale development. The Rivers State government, led by Governor Sim Fubara, has been urging faster progress, while park officials anticipate the main phase to commence by December 2026.
Landmark's legal head, Adaobi Nwanze, said a soft launch is planned a week or two before the Yuletide season, with the beach set to host leisure, hospitality, food‑and‑beverage outlets, land and water sports, and a signature "Upside‑Down House". The project will operate on a partnership model that lowers entry costs for small and medium‑size hospitality enterprises, aiming to involve many young people and women, echoing the 40 % women‑owned tenant rate from Landmark's Lagos resort.
RSIPA Director‑General Chamberlain Peterside confirmed that all public‑private partnership paperwork has been cleared, positioning the site for immediate construction.
The most striking element is Governor Sim Fubara's hands‑on approach, treating the beach redevelopment like a private‑sector venture rather than a routine public project.
This aggressive push reflects a broader strategy to revitalize Rivers State's tourism through public‑private partnerships, leveraging Landmark's proven model while the state's Investment Promotion Agency clears bureaucratic hurdles.
If the timeline holds, the development could generate substantial employment for local youth and create market space for women‑led SMEs, directly affecting residents of Borokiri and surrounding communities.
The initiative signals a growing trend of Nigerian states courting foreign‑backed developers to jump‑start stalled infrastructure, using large capital injections to fast‑track projects that promise both economic returns and social uplift.
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