Abati: I thought I could rattle Tinubu during media chat — but he knows what he’s doing

 By Monsurudeen Olowoopejo

18 May 2024

As part of measures to restore Festac Town master plan, the Federal Government through the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has identified over 10,000 illegal buildings that will be removed for the restoration of Festac Town master plan.

It said that the move would assist in restoring the glory over 45 year old estate, saying the master plan has been completely distorted over the years.

The Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Oyetunde Ojo, who disclosed this on Saturday during the quarterly general meeting of the Festival Town Residents Association held on 512 Road, blamed total collapse of infrastructure within the estate on past administrations, as well as on Amuwo Odofin Local Government and residents.

Ojo, who was represented by the Executive Director in the FHA, Ezekiel Etok, charged the Amuwo Odofin Local Government to prioritize infrastructure development in the area.

He noted that the management is prepared to partner the council to correct the mistakes of past administrations.

The FHA boss explained that current leadership is prepared implement the Renewed Hope Agenda within the estates.

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.

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, 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, 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.