Govt will restore FESTAC’s lost glory - FHA

Managing Director of Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Senator Gbenga Ashafa, has promised to sustain the current efforts to restore FESTAC Housing Estate in Lagos to its glory.

Ashafa made the promise while addressing stakeholders at a meeting at the popular housing estate in Lagos.

He said the demolition of illegal structures at the estate was meant to give way for dredging of the canal and dislodging of illegal occupants.

Ashafa, who was represented by FHA Southwest Zonal Manager, Akintola Olagbemiro, said the government took the action to ensure proper survey that corresponds with FESTAC’s master plan and to allow the real allottees possess their property.

The FHA boss explained that the demolition of illegal structures was not done to target religious organisations or any group, as was being speculated in some sections of the media.

“Last Sunday, we started the implementation of the second phase of the consent judgment, which was for clearing the illegal structures within the buffer zones along the Second Avenue as well as the expressway.

“Before then, we had implemented the first phase of the judgment, which was to dredge the canal along the buffer.

“This will allow the clearance of the way to proper survey and development of parcels of land along this axis in accordance with the master plan,” he said.

Ashafa said the measure was meant to keep his mandate of restoring the lost glory of FESTAC, adding that several quit notices were served on illegal occupants before the demolition started.

“For those who think it is business as usual, we want to inform you that we will sustain this operation until the lost glory of FESTAC is restored. No amount of blackmail will stop us from achieving this goal,” he said.

He advised those on the Right of Way with valid approvals to bring thier papers to FHA to take appropriate action.

The stakeholders compromising FESTAC Town Residents Association, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, allottees groups, residents and Nigerian Police Force, said lack of sustainable action in the past had worsened the environmental and security challenges in the community.

Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Mr. Valentine Buraimoh, expressed support the demolition but noted that the council was not informed to enable it offer advice.

“FHA should quickly look for a way forward so that the rightful owners can be handed over their property with the condition stipulated that they either develop or lose it.

“You have to be very cautious with security in FESTAC and if you don’t want to sit on a gun powder, that area should quickly be handed over to the owners for development,” he said.

Buraimoh denied allegations by some protesters who had earlier besieged the FHA gate claiming they paid revenue to the council for their shops and makeshift stalls.

Mr. Shola Fakorede, president of FESTAC Town Resident Association (FTRA) said if any group or stakeholder was aggrieved by the recent development, it should be the allotees, whose property had been encroached on for almost 30 years.

He urged the management of the FHA to secure the property and also furnish the FTRA with the information of all the allotees so they could reach out to the families of those who are late to ensure they take possession to avoid a repetition.

Protesters from the Agboju Plank Market besieged the FHA gate carrying placards demanding reversal of ongoing demolition of the market which began on Sunday.