FG, Lagos, others collaborate to restore Festac’s
lost glory.
WHEN FESTAC town was built to host participants at the
second Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture in
1977 known as FESTAC 77, it was a model estate and was
the first of its kind on the shores of Africa. For those who
dwelt in Lagos then, it was a delight to come here and
savour the paved streets, the flowers, the modern planning
and the decent environment. How this estate degenerated
to this parlous state is a subject that should continue to
engage our interest as stakeholders’’.
These were the words of Minister of Lands, Housing &
Urban Development, Ms. Amal Pepple at the stakeholders’
meeting on the restoration of Festac Town in the Amuwo-
Odofin Local Government Area, Lagos, last weekend.
At the end of the meeting which was attended by top
Federal government officials, Lagos State Government
representatives, those from Amuwo-Odofin Local
Government and representatives of Festac Town Residents’
Association, FTRA, it was resolved that stakeholders must
collaborate to bring back Festac town to its past glory. This
collaboration entails that all parties must fulfill their
respective binding obligations to make the dream of the
restoration a reality.
One of the buildings in Festac town
Restoration project
As a way of kick-starting the restoration project, two
committees were immediately set up by the Minister to
look into the various issues raised by various interest
groups at the forum. The committees were Task Force
Committee on Illegal Structures and Committee on Ground
Rents and Rates. Each of the committees comprises five
members selected by the various interest groups.
The Task Force Committee chaired by Lagos State
Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban development,
Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, a town planner, is to ensure the
removal of all illegal structures in the estate and restore
back all open spaces and parks.
On the other hand, the committee on ground rents and
rates chaired by the Special Adviser to Governor
Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Taxation and
Revenue, Mr. Bola Shodipo is to look into non-payment of
ground rents and maintenance rates by Festac residents as
alleged by the Federal Housing Authority, FHA.
The Committee is also expected to come up with a strategy
for the collection of these moneys, without which the
restoration project will not be feasible. The Toyin Ayinde
committee has four weeks to submit its report while the
Shodipo committee has two weeks to submit its own
report.
In her remarks, Ms. Pepple said following her earlier visit
to the sprawling community in September last year, ‘’we
came up with recommendations for a holistic restoration
of Festac town. The recommendations were approved by
the Federal government and a committee was set up to
actualise the restoration programme. The committee’ work
is in progress.
‘’This meeting of today is intended to share the highlights
with a view to obtaining your buy-in as well as come up
with a joint implementation plan. At this juncture, I should
stress the need for stakeholders to prepare to play the part
expected of them in the new dispensation. Residents
should cultivate a new culture of refraining from habits
that hurt the environment. Bills for services should be paid
promptly’’, the Minister said.
Stakeholders meeting
Speaking on behalf of Lagos state, Ayinde stated that for a
plan to work, there should be implementation and there
must be maintenance. ‘’This is why Festac town needs to
be restored. To do this, there is need to review the original
plan of Festac. This stakeholders’ meeting today is in the
right direction,” he said..
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, FHA,
Mr. Terver Gemade, stated that a retrospective look at the
original design of Festac town will disclose a total
departure from the original concept. He pointed out that
rules, regulations and terms of use have been severely
violated.
Gemade who is an Architect, stated that housing units
were allocated to winners or tenants on mortgage
repayment basis spanning a period of 25 years. He noted
however, that eight years after the expiration of 25 years,
some of the residents are still unable to pay up inspite of
the foreclosure clauses.
‘’We have noticed significant abuses in the usage of
facilities and wanton conversion of residential property to
commercial purposes. Other issues in Festac town include
the disregard for rules and regulations accented to at the
time of allocation.”
In his contribution, the Chairman, Amuwo-Odofin Local
Government Area, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, drew the
attention of FHA to provisions of the Constitution which
places the management of parks and gardens in the
purview of local government.
He said: “We believe that since Festac is situated within the
larger Nigeria, this applies here. The local government will
greatly appreciate it if FHA hands over the management
and development of parks and gardens to it.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/fg-lagos-others-collaborate-to-restore-festacs-lost-glory/

until I see the report of the committee, I'll say they are chasing shadows

We are on the Right track

pheesayor: until I see the report of the committee, I'll say they are chasing shadows

True talk! We need action and not to much talk talk!
How you dey bros?

As a way of kick-starting the
restoration project, two
committees were immediately set
up by the Minister to
look into the various issues
raised by various interest
groups at the forum.

2 committees, to look into. Just for kickstarting!

What if the project now commences and about to end?

COMMITOCRACY!

Tolexander: 2 committees, to look into. Just for kickstarting!

What if the project now commences and about to end?

COMMITOCRACY!

who cares how many committees are set up? Festac town deserves more than that. All i desire is a change to bring the town to what it used to be.

Who cares?
There are far more important issues deserving attentions.

Maintenance culture: If the government had been consistent with maintaining, renovating and repairing things when they are yet to attain epidemic state, I'm so sure they will spend less.

1.Fashola to sue jang=lagos against jonathan

2. FG to renovate festac town= bribe fashola

:::::::::::3 days later::::::::::::

3. Fashola withdraws case against jang= politics

Agaisnt jonathan + bribe+politics=Nigeria!