Festac residents protest alleged sale of vital estate facilities

Residents of Festac Town in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos State, are raising concerns about the alleged sale of important public facilities in their area. They are part of a group called the Take Back Festac Movement.

During a peaceful protest on Saturday, residents pointed out that some of the facilities include sewage treatment plants, waterworks, parks, and buffer zones. They warned that these sales could cause serious environmental and public health problems.

The group accused officials from the Federal Housing Authority of selling facilities meant for public use. Valentine Uduebo, the group's president, said this situation threatens the future of the estate. He called on Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and President Bola Tinubu to step in.

Valentine claimed that many other public facilities in the estate have also been sold. While discussing this with other community members, he said, "We are living in bondage here. Our lives are under threat.

"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.

"The affected facilities include sewage treatment plants located at the junction of 5th Avenue and 2nd Avenue, near the 3rd Gate on 7th Avenue, on 41 Road, on 4th Avenue by 7th Avenue, and on 21 Road by 201 Road."

He added that the Waterworks facility on 22 Road has also been sold. He said, "All these facilities have been sold. What is disturbing is that some people are claiming that the president approved these sales. That is not true. The president’s name is being used to justify actions that are causing serious harm to the community.

"Our children’s playgrounds and parks are disappearing. These spaces were created for recreation and community life, but they are being sold off without consideration for residents."

Valentine also accused authorities of charging property owners too much. He claimed residents face multiple fees from different government agencies.

"Residents are being subjected to unlawful fees in the name of the president. People are charged huge sums for basic approvals and consent fees when buying property. We believe the president’s name is being wrongly used to justify these charges.

"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.

The activist urged the president to investigate the sales and punish those responsible.

"We appreciate the ongoing road projects in Festac, but we also need our safety, our environment, and our sanity restored. We are asking the President to investigate these sales and stop the disposal of community assets meant for residents," he said.

Valentine mentioned that residents have repeatedly reached out to the FHA but have not been satisfied with the answers they got.

"We have asked the FHA several times why these facilities are being sold. Their responses usually point to the Federal Government, but residents are not satisfied with these explanations," he said.

Dumebi Owa, a medical practitioner and resident, warned that selling sewage facilities could lead to serious health issues. Owa, who has worked in healthcare for about 40 years, said proper sewage management is key to preventing disease and protecting the environment.

"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 added that Nigeria's healthcare system might struggle to deal with health crises due to doctors moving abroad. Owa also expressed worry about losing parks and green spaces, saying it could worsen climate change effects.

"A healthy population is essential for a healthy nation. Economic growth cannot be sustained if our health indicators continue to decline," she said.

Another resident, James Ibekwe, who has lived in Festac for nearly 50 years, called the sales a violation of the estate’s original master plan.

Ibekwe urged the Federal Government to reverse the transactions, insisting that the sales were illegal.

"Those of us who have lived here since 1977 know the original master plan of Festac. The areas being mentioned today were clearly designated for specific public purposes. This is not a place any reasonable person would consider selling.

"We want the relevant authorities to act responsibly and revoke these sales. These sales are illegal, unconstitutional, null and void, and should have no legal effect."

Monsuru Salam, the Chairman of the Oodua People’s Congress in Amuwo-Odofin, also accused the FHA of selling a security post on 51 Road, which serves three security zones in Amuwo-Odofin.

He argued that the sold facilities are still being protected by local security operatives.

"The FHA must be investigated because the security spot we manage on 51 Road, which serves three zones, has been sold. As a security agency protecting lives and property here, do they expect us to simply watch as these facilities disappear?" he asked.

"Everything in Amuwo-Odofin means a lot to us. The FHA should even be supporting local security efforts because many of the properties being sold are still part of what we are securing," he added.

Salam appealed to both the federal and state governments to look into the issue and work with the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Council.

"We are appealing to the government to look into these issues and also work through the local government, which is the closest level of government to the people, so that proper explanations can be provided," he said.

When contacted for a response, the FHA spokesperson, Kenneth Chigelu, dismissed the protest. He questioned why the protesters did not formally present their concerns to the authority.

According to him, many of the issues raised by protesters are not new and have been discussed for years.

Chigelu said, "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 or are they engaging in trial by media?

"This protest should be handled through the recognised residents’ association, not by a so-called group we do not even know. You cannot just gather people without engaging the authority."

He also disputed claims about the sale of buffer zones and public facilities, saying many issues predate the current administration.

"They talk about buffer zones, but what exactly do they mean by buffer zones? Many of these issues have existed for more than 20 years. They did not start under this administration.

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

"Do they think sewage has simply remained in one place all these years? People make claims without understanding the realities on the ground," he added.

He questioned complaints about the waterworks, arguing the facility had not provided water for a long time and many households now rely on private boreholes.

Chigelu admitted there are challenges in maintaining infrastructure but said some criticisms of the authority are unfair.

"Maintaining Festac Town is a major challenge. Government budgets alone cannot address every problem. Yet some of the same people who do not contribute to maintaining these facilities are the ones making allegations," he said.

He advised residents to follow established channels for resolving their issues.

"I advise them to take their grievances through the proper channels. They can submit petitions, visit the management in Abuja, or engage our zonal office," he said.

He recognized the Festac Town Residents Association as the FHA’s official partner in community engagement.