Segun Amure
The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Monday said that it has commenced a process to restore the glory of FESTAC located at the Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos State.
FHA disclosed this shortly after a reported demolition of the popular Agboju Market by the Lagos State Government task force and representative of FHA.
Speaking with the Africa Housing News, the President of FESTAC Town Residents Association (FTRA) Mr. Sola Fakorede said one of the reasons for the demolition stems from an unprecedented denigration of Festac Town.
Mr. Fakorede recalled how FESTAC, which hosted the Second World African Festival of Arts and Culture in 1977 was a beauty to behold as an Estate with Serene environment, lush green grasses, functional street lights, parks and relaxation gardens with security and good power supply.
“Sadly, FESTAC has lost its beauty as it is now a ghetto and a shadow of itself.” He said.
Going further, the FTRA President stated that the Managing Director of FHA, Sen. Gbenga Ashafa and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu have discussed how to rescue FESTAC from further decay.
On its part, FHA stated that part of its plans to restore FESTAC glory includes the 2020 removal orders, quit notices on unauthorized occupants on open spaces, unapproved private residents converted to commercial entities served to the occupants from First gate to Third gate, in the area.
However, the seven days quit notice which expired on Wednesday 9th of June 2021 led to the demolition of the popular Agboju market.
Mr. Fakorede added that a publication has also been out to appeal to those who are owing FHA on their mortgage, ground rent development levy or premium etc should pay up or risk forfeiture of their properties in accordance with the law.
Speaking with the Africa Housing News, the Managing Director of FHA, Sen. Gbenga Ashafa emphasized that FHA is committed to upholding the glory of all its housing estates across the country not only its housing estate in FESTAC, Lagos but also its housing estate in Gwarimpa, Abuja
Background
Festac Town is a federal housing estate located along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Lagos State, Nigeria. Its name is derived from the acronym FESTAC, which stands for Second World African Festival of Arts and Culture that was held there in 1977.
Festac town, originally referred to as “Festival Town” or “Festac Village”, is a residential estate designed to house the participants of the Second World Festival of Black Arts and Culture of 1977 (Festac77). Consisting of 5,000 contemporary dwelling units and seven major avenues, the town was designed in an efficient grid in order to accommodate upwards of 45,000 visitors as well as any Nigerian employees and officers working at the Festival.
The Nigerian government invested substantial sums of money and resources into building Festac Town, which sported state of the art electrical generators, police and fire stations, access to public transportation, supermarkets, banks, health centres, public restrooms, and postal services.
The village was therefore intended to evoke the modern age and the promise of state-sponsored economic development fuelled by oil revenues.