By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority, Oyetunde Ojo, has said that at least 10,000 buildings will be demolished to return Festac Town to its original master plan.
He also blamed the total collapse of infrastructure in Festac on the failure of those in charge in the past to carry out their constitutional duties, as well as on Amuwo Odofin Local Government and residents.
Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, who gave this indication during the quarterly general meeting of the Festival Town Residents Association held on 512 Road, however, said that they are ready to restore the past glory of Festac Town.
Represented by the Executive Director in the FHA, Architect Ezekiel Ini Etok, Ojo charged the Amuwo Odofin Local Government to prioritize infrastructure development in the area.
He also said that the residents will stand against any move by the FHA to correct the mistakes of the past while promising to collaborate with the council to address the challenges.
The FHA boss explained that he was prepared to serve from day one in line with the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu.
He cautioned residents against building without proper approval, adding that weeks of grace would be given to those who are yet to regularize their papers to do so.
On his part, the South West Zonal Chairman of the FHA, Akin Olagbemiro, showcased the agreement signed on the 21st of April, 1988 between the FHA and the council authorities. He said that the Local Government, as the collector of Tenement Rate, shall maintain the roads, drainages, streetlights, and open spaces within the area.
He also said that all avenues in Festac shall be designated as state roads, while all roads and closes shall be under the purview of the Local Government.
Mr. Olagbemiro, however, noted that in 2021, some parts of Festac that were not motorable were fixed at the time.
The President of the Festival Residents Association, Barr. Adeshina Adegbenro, said the entire Festac is facing enormous challenges, including bad roads, irregular power supply, and environmental degradation.
He said every community in the area is faced with peculiar problems, which necessitated the need for the quarterly meeting.
According to him, the residents expect to see positive developments before the end of the year through the intervention of the FHA.
In his speech, Alhaji Olaseeni Ogunjobi, the chairman of Community 2, demanded the assistance of the Federal Housing Authority in restoring Festac Town to its enviable glory.
He lamented that all the existing facilities, including walkways, have been overtaken by vendors of all sorts, with shops illegally erected while vandalism is on the rise within the estate.
The chairman also noted the menace of the cart refuse collectors and their indiscriminate dumping of refuse in any available space within the estate.
He appealed to the FHA Managing Director to help protect Victory Park from land grabbers, adding that the community has 25,000 residents and is the largest of the FTRA communities.
Other stakeholders at the meeting jointly agreed to work with the leadership of the FHA and desist from the lawless acts responsible for the environmental degradation of Festac Town.