Following mixed reactions that has trailed earlier report on the outcome of the Quarterly Stakeholders meeting by the Festival Town Residents Association, it has become imperative to clear the air that there is no plan to demolish any building in Festac Town.
This is to allay the fears of residents and other stakeholders on earlier report that says that at least 10,000 buildings will be demolished to return Festac Town to its original masterplan.
The Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority, Oyetunde Ojo however said that at least 10,000 buildings will have to give way if they decide to return Festac Town to its original masterplan.
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 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 declared 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 Ofofinn Local Government to accord utmost priority to infrastructural development in the area.
He also said that the residents and business owners must be ready to collaborate with the Federal Housing Authority in addressing the challenges to improve on their living condition.
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 weeks of grace would be given to those who are yet to regularise their papers to do so.
On his part, the South West Zonal Chairman of the FHA, Akin Olagbemiro who showcase the Agreement signed on 21st of April, 1988 between the FHA and the council authorities said that the Local Government as the collector of Tenament Rate shall maintain the road, drainages, street light, open spaces within the area.
He also said that all Avenues in Festac shall be designated as state Roads while all Roads and Closes designated as 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.
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 perculiar problems which necessitated the need for the quarterly meeting.
According to him, the residents expect to see a positive development before the end of the year through the intervention of the FHA.
In his speech, Alhaji Olaseeni Ogunjobi, the chairman community 2 demanded for the assistance of the Federal Housing Authority in restoring Festac Town to its enviable glory.
He lamented that all the existing facilities including Walk Ways have been overtaken by vendors of all sort, shops illegally erected while vandalism is on the high alert within the Estate.
The Chairman also noted that the menace of the cart refuse collector and their indiscriminate dumping of refuse on any available space is worrisome.
He appealed to the FHA Managing Director to help protect the Victory Park from the land grabbers adding the community has 25, 000 residents and the largest of the FTRA communities.
Other stakeholders at the meeting jointly agreed to work with the leadership of the FHA and desist from their lawless acts responsible for the environmental degradation of Festac Town.