Residents of Festac Town in the Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos State have raised concerns over the alleged sale of critical public infrastructure, warning that the development could pose serious environmental, health and security risks within the estate.

The residents, under the umbrella of the Take Back Festac Movement, staged a peaceful protest on Saturday, accusing the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) of disposing of facilities originally designated for public use, including sewage treatment plants, waterworks, parks and buffer zones.

Speaking during the protest, the group’s president, Valentine Uduebo, described the alleged transactions as a threat to the future of the estate and called on President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene.

According to him, several sewage treatment facilities located across different parts of Festac Town had allegedly been sold to private interests.

“This facility behind us is a sewage management facility that serves residents in this area, yet it has been sold. The new owners intend to build food-related businesses on land meant for sewage management,” he alleged.

Uduebo also claimed that the estate’s Waterworks facility on 22 Road, as well as parks and recreational spaces, had been sold, warning that the loss of such infrastructure could negatively affect residents’ quality of life.

He further accused authorities of imposing multiple charges on property owners, alleging that residents are subjected to duplicate fees from both Lagos State agencies and the FHA.

“People pay building approval fees to Lagos State and are still required to make additional payments to the FHA. Residents see this as double taxation and extortion,” he said.

Health and Environmental Concerns

A medical practitioner and resident, Dr. Dumebi Owa, warned that converting sewage treatment facilities to other uses could create serious public health challenges.

“Sewage is meant to be properly managed and disposed of. If it is not properly handled, we risk outbreaks of diseases and serious public health challenges,” she said.

She also expressed concern over the alleged sale of parks and green spaces, noting that such developments could worsen environmental degradation and climate-related impacts.

Residents Demand Reversal of Sales

Another resident, James Ibekwe, who said he has lived in Festac Town since 1977, described the alleged transactions as a violation of the estate’s original master plan.

“We want the relevant authorities to act responsibly and revoke these sales. These sales are illegal, unconstitutional, null and void,” he said.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) in Amuwo-Odofin, Monsuru Salam, alleged that a security post on 51 Road serving multiple security zones had also been sold, raising concerns about security within the community.

FHA Dismisses Allegations

Reacting to the protest, FHA spokesperson Kenneth Chigelu dismissed the allegations and questioned why the protesters had not formally engaged the authority before going public.

“It has become a norm for people to wake up and start protests simply for publicity. Have they taken the time to come to the authority and channel their complaints?” he said.

Chigelu maintained that many of the issues raised predated the current administration and argued that some of the facilities cited by protesters had long ceased functioning.

“As for the sewage treatment facilities, the central system collapsed a long time ago. Have they shown you functioning treatment plants?” he queried.

He advised aggrieved residents to channel their complaints through recognised structures, including the Festac Town Residents Association, which he identified as the FHA’s official partner for community engagement.

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Festac Town, once hailed as one of Africa’s largest and most organized estates when it opened in 1977, is facing a serious environmental threat. Original buffer zones designed to mitigate flooding, absorb wastewater, and provide greenery are now heavily encroached by commercial shops, mosques, mechanic workshops, petrol stations, and markets. Residents and environmentalists are warning that the estate is now at risk of flooding, pollution, and structural damage.

Pa Isibor Ehimen, who lived in Festac as a young artist, recalls the estate’s glory days. “I have never seen such beauty and organized living anywhere else in Nigeria,” he said. But today, the estate’s original charm has faded, with shanties and makeshift structures replacing the carefully planned residential areas.

Buffer zones, initially designed as windbreakers and environmental safeguards, have been drastically compromised. “Before, you could not see neighboring areas from Festac because the trees in the buffer zones offered full coverage,” said Ademola Onitiri, a concerned resident. “Now, those zones are filled with buildings, motor parks, and markets. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

Residents report that drainage systems are blocked by construction along the buffer zones, leading to frequent flooding even during minor rains. “We have dug the drainages countless times, yet water still accumulates because these structures disrupt the flow,” said Chimezie Agumbah. The encroachment not only threatens flood control but also undermines the ecosystem, as the green zones help filter air, absorb carbon dioxide, and maintain a balance within the urban environment.

The Federal Housing Authority (FHA), tasked with regulating construction in Festac Town, has taken some action in the past. During the tenure of former MD Gbenga Ashafa, over 500 illegal shops were demolished. However, residents say the current FHA leadership under Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, appointed in February 2024, has done little to prevent further encroachments. “Illegal structures continue to sprout despite assurances,” said Yakubu Inuwa, a resident and immigration officer.

Environmentalists warn that the loss of buffer zones increases vulnerability to extreme weather events. “Festac will be submerged by flood if these green zones are gone,” said Abidemi Olayemi, an agronomist. Esther Obeya, an environmentalist based in Abuja, noted that improper waste and rainwater management could accelerate soil erosion, building collapse, and health hazards.

Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, where Festac Town is located, has raised concerns with the FHA about the encroachments, but residents report that responses are slow. Road rehabilitation projects on 2nd and 7th Avenue are expected to improve traffic flow and mobility, yet the effectiveness will depend on clearing buffer zones of illegal constructions.

Residents urge the government to take immediate measures, including continued demolition of unauthorized structures, enforcement of the master plan, and restoration of green spaces. “The buffer zones are essential not only for flood control but also for preserving Festac Town’s status as one of Africa’s largest planned estates,” said Esther Obeya.

Without decisive action, experts warn that Festac Town faces compounded environmental risks, including flooding, pollution, and infrastructure collapse. Residents, urban planners, and environmentalists continue to call on the FHA and Lagos State government to act before the estate suffers irreversible damage.

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The Lagos State Government has distanced itself from the recent demolition of buildings in FESTAC Town, clarifying that it had no involvement in the exercise and did not issue any authorisation for the operation.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 14, by Mukaila Sanusi, Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the government said the clarification became necessary following public speculation linking it to the demolitions.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, speaking from Alausa, said the state operates a transparent process for any authorised demolition, which includes the issuance of statutory notices and stakeholder engagement before any structure is removed.

“The Lagos State Government has denied any involvement in the recent demolition of structures in FESTAC Town,” the statement read. “Contrary to speculation, the State Government had no role in the exercise.”

Olumide emphasised that the state was not responsible for the operation, noting that FESTAC Town falls under the administration of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). He urged federal agencies operating within Lagos to seek clearance from the ministry before undertaking any demolition to avoid conflict and misinformation.

While clarifying its position on the FESTAC exercise, the state government confirmed that it had recently carried out demolitions at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex, targeting unapproved and unsafe structures deemed to pose public safety risks.

According to the ministry, the affected buildings lacked valid planning permits, despite several amnesty opportunities given to owners to regularise their developments. It dismissed as misleading claims by Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi that affected traders had obtained necessary approvals.

The statement further clarified that the Trade Fair Complex Management Board has no authority to issue building approvals, citing a 2003 Supreme Court ruling affirming Lagos State’s jurisdiction over physical planning and development control even on federal lands except in core federal enclaves.

In a related development, the government announced plans to begin the removal of properties built on illegal reclamation sites across Lagos from October 15, warning that such structures obstruct natural waterways and contribute to flooding.

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The Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Mr. Oyetunde Ojo, has announced the commencement of road rehabilitation in Festac Town, Lagos, beginning with the renovation of 1st Avenue.

This move is part of a broader effort to address the town’s infrastructural decay and restore its former glory.

During an inspection on Thursday, August 22, Mr. Ojo highlighted that the FHA is also focusing on the demolition of structures with integrity issues within the town. He emphasized that restoring Festac Town, which he described as more than just an estate but a national monument, is a priority for the Authority.

In a statement released by the FHA on Friday, it was disclosed that the rehabilitation will be executed in phases. The plan includes the upgrade of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gates, clearing illegal structures, installing solar street lights, and performing palliative road repairs.

Mr. Ojo also urged residents to cooperate with the FHA by paying their statutory fees, which are crucial for the Authority’s operations independent of government appropriations. He further explained that the ongoing verification exercise is aimed at updating the FHA’s database, with only verified properties being recognized after the exercise.

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In addition to the road rehabilitation, Mr. Ojo warned that buildings on 6th Avenue showing visible signs of structural failure will be demolished. Property owners who choose to demolish their unsafe structures will retain their land titles, while those who fail to do so risk losing their land titles if the FHA undertakes the demolition.

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The rehabilitation efforts include the demolition of the old 1st gate and the construction of a new modern structure, alongside the installation of solar street lights along 1st Avenue. The 3.2km stretch of 2nd Avenue is also set for repairs, with an estimated cost of 7 billion Naira. While the FHA aims to secure federal government support for this project, interim palliative measures will be implemented to ensure the road remains usable.

Mr. Ojo reiterated the FHA’s commitment to restoring Festac Town to its former status, calling on residents and stakeholders to support the ongoing initiatives.

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