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By Ikwune Precious Chinasa
In an apparent move to restore Festac to its former glory, the Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Mr. Oyetunde Ojo, has appealed for collaboration among stakeholders for the maintenance of all government infrastructures in the area for the benefit of all.
Speaking during the commissioning of reconstructed FESTAC Town First Gate and solar-powered street lights along First Avenue, Mr. Ojo appealed to stakeholders for prompt payment of ground rents to restore FESTAC Town to the state everyone will be proud of. He also announced plans to ban commercial motorcycle operators in the estate by 2026.
He explained that the rebuilding of the estate’s First Gate and the installation of solar lights were part of a broader regeneration plan aimed at enhancing security, mobility, sanitation, and livelihoods in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of providing livable and secure neighbourhoods to residents.
According to him, President Tinubu has mandated FHA not only to build new houses but also to maintain existing estates. “When I assumed office, FESTAC streets were in total darkness, sanitation was poor, and infrastructure like gates and roads had collapsed. That was why we swung into action.
“The entrance gate had totally collapsed, the road to First Avenue was impassable, and First, Second and Seventh Avenues were in complete darkness,” Ojo said. He disclosed that the rehabilitation of Seventh Avenue had already been awarded to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), while FHA was handling other projects.
Ojo also lamented that FHA had not received budgetary allocations since 2003; hence the call for residents to pay their ground rents to enable better service delivery.
He revealed that FHA had revived an abandoned project involving the sand-filling of 2,000 hectares of land, ordered by the Federal Executive Council about 15 years ago, and that President Tinubu was keen on completing both old and ongoing projects. “We are working on the Fourth Avenue Bridge to finish the ramp and road. Already, FESTAC Town, Ije-Dodo and Abule Ado have been connected, and within two or three months, the road will become motorable,” he said.
On the planned ban of commercial motorcycles, Ojo said tricycles and mini-bus shuttles would be sufficient alternatives. He also promised to work with stakeholders to ensure effective enforcement of the ban. FHA’s Executive Director of Projects Implementation, Mr Oluremi Omowaiye, explained that over 20 truckloads of unsuitable road materials had been removed and replaced with interlocking stones to ensure durability. “We are here to serve, and in everything we do, we cannot compromise standards,” he said. Omowaiye also disclosed that many estates were going off-grid and that FESTAC would soon enjoy 24-hour uninterrupted power supply.
Similarly, FHA’s Executive Director of Estate Services, Mr Ezekiel Nya-Etok, urged residents to manage expectations while appreciating the sacrifices made by FHA staff and Management to deliver improved services. “We are committed to FESTAC, and we appeal to residents to support us,” he said.
