FHA begins rehabilitation of FESTAC Town’s infrastructure

• Laments residents’ failure to pay ground rents, mortgages
• Residents decry neglect, seek urgent intervention on decaying amenities

The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has commenced the rehabilitation of roads and other critical infrastructure at FESTAC Town, Lagos. The move comes after years-long neglect of the town.

FESTAC, a suburb in Amuwo Odofin Local Council of Lagos State, became famous in 1977 after FESTAC 77, also known as the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture.

FESTAC Village was constructed to accommodate about 17,000 participants. Its long-term objective was to relieve some of the housing pressure in Lagos.

However, 40 years after the FESTAC 77 festival, the town has been plagued by dilapidated structures, a poor road network, a lack of pipe-borne water, a poor drainage system, fragile security, and miscreants.

Last week, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Oyetunde Ojo, in the company of FHA officials and the immediate past Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Council, Ayodele Adewale, commenced rehabilitation work on FESTAC Town starting from 1st Gate/1st Avenue down to the 11 Road Junction and 2nd Avenue by Polaris Bank/Zenith Bank. Adewale cheered that after about 35 years without street lights, FESTAC Town’s streetlights were being restored.

Blocked drainage.. Photo: Eniola Daniel

“The FESTAC Town of 1977 is coming back to life before our very eyes and in our lifetime,” he said. When The Guardian visited on Saturday, it was discovered that the FHA blocked a portion of the road after the FESTAC Bridge to the roundabout, filling the potholes, while obstructing trees in the area were cut down to allow for the fixing of streetlights within 30 metres.

However, the work has yet to be extended beyond the roundabout, and no construction equipment or machinery was sighted on 11 Road down to the Local Council Secretariat.

Speaking to The Guardian, Onyeama Nwachukwu, a resident, lamented that FESTAC is no longer what it used to be. “We have issues with power, flooding, security, water and the road network. I don’t believe that the FHA is working to restore FESTAC to its old glory. We have been hearing the same promise for years.

“Do they know what it will take to return FESTAC to its glory? First, they should start running the water so every household has pipe-borne water. Can they do it?

“The Federal Government originally furnished FESTAC houses with telephones. Restoring FESTAC to its former glory involves more than just removing attachments. It also requires addressing issues like the blocked drainage system, replacing stolen iron components, and fixing missing manhole covers. We need to define what it truly means to restore FESTAC to its former glory and understand the implications of this restoration.”

He added: “The security situation in FESTAC is bad, but it is not as bad as in other areas. Most people who carry out criminal activities come from outside, especially with motorcycles, to rob residents going to their offices early in the morning or coming back late.

People living in FESTAC are like members of a family, so people who come here to commit crimes are outsiders.” Another resident, Mrs Eunice Rotimi, said: “When I came to FESTAC in 1995, it was elegant, and from Mile 2, there were streetlights to FESTAC. There was pipe-borne water, motorable roads, and a good transportation system. No one could enter FESTAC carelessly then. It was like small London, not what it is today, so the government should help us to restore FESTAC. The blocks used in buildings in those days were strong and of good quality, but things have changed. I only pray that there won’t be any building collapse.”

Reacting, spokesperson for FHA Kenneth Chigelu said works have started from the first gate to the 11th road but lamented the lack of funds. He said: “We have started palliative works up to 2nd Avenue, which will cost billions of naira to fix. We are doing palliative jobs there; you can even see the crane items from the first gate to 11th Road. These are things we are doing.” He lamented that many residents of FESTAC have not paid their mortgages since they were given the houses 50 years ago.

“Have you asked where we got the money we are using to do this? Nobody pays any money to FESTAC. In fact, by this week, we’ll be in Lagos again to ensure everything starts again. We went with four local staff and former Council chairman governments the last time. At least you can see the equipment working.”

Boreholes in one of the buildings… Photo: Eniola Daniel

Asked when the work will be concluded, he said: “I don’t know. It depends on funding because the cost will run into billions of naira. How do we even get money to start doing the project when there is a local government? Which money are we going to use? We are not on a budget. When we get money from the estate, will we use it to repair the roads? There are a lot of businesses in FESTAC, but they are not doing the roads even as their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).”