The worrisome state of Festac Town with regards to environmental and infrastructural degeneration within Festac Town.
From the unauthorised trading of all sorts are on our walkways, layby, green zone and other unauthorized places and even First gate which is the first entrance into Festac Town is an eyesore.
Majority of those who trade there and constitute environmental nuisance do not live in Festac Town.
This and more issues prompted the visit Of the Festac Town Resident Association (FTRA) led by the current president Mr Sola Fakorede to the Amuwo-Odofin LGA on the 15th of April 2019 .
The visit which was accompanied by the executive arm of the association aimed to engage the Executive Chairman, on matters concerning Festac Town.
It was a no holds barred meeting as members express their feelings of dissatisfaction on the current state of the environment together with the menace of okada rider and the LG neglect of the Association.
According to the FTRA president,
“This meeting was initiated to generate answers to many issues bothering on the environmental and infrastructural degeneration begging for attention.
Yes the administration took audacious steps to address the failing roads but suddenly towards the end of last year work stopped and the contractors have not been sighted at sites they had placed signage of “work in progress”.
The aesthetics of Festac as a well-planned estate is gradually fading into oblivion because auto-mobile dealers have turned all available spaces to car marts and mechanic workshops springing up on every walkway to service this imported cars.
Most worrisome is the activities of Okada riders, who are fast becoming a threat to the peaceful ambience the community enjoys.
Residents want to know what the administration closest to them plans to do to address the ensuing situations. That is why we are here to see you our distinguished Chairman.”
The LG Chairman after listening to the complaints and dissatisfaction expressed by the association tendered an apology and promised that the issue brought before him are already being looked into.
He also applauded the president for his style of leadership, which is to always engage the government through dialogue to discuss and proffer solutions to problematic situations and not to use his office to incite the community against its government.
He said,
“I will like you to know that I am adequately abreast with the challenges before us, yet it is important that we know that the responsibility of infrastructural development and environmental protection lies in the hands of three institutions, Federal, State and Local government.
In the past, under the administration of the former governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, the public works department was dutiful in ensuring that the roads in the community were well attended to. This is not so again.
The reality is that the Federal Government has stopped to perform its statutory obligation to the community. All responsibility which obviously is enormous has been left to the local government to bear.”
The Executive Chairman’s disclosures triggered several contributions and the following resolutions were made at the meeting.
A five man delegation would meet with the management of FHA in Abujato engage them on the plights of the community
On the issues of the roads, the contractual agreement on road rehabilitation with the contractor will be revoked if the ultimatum to return to work is not adhered to.
The local government has promised to commission a special task force to enforce the existing environmental law and sanity within a month duration.
As relating to Okada and its menace, a tripartite stakeholders meeting consisting of the Local Government, FTRA and Okada Riders association/union will meet next week to seriously take a look into the unwholesome activities of the okada riders with a view to curb their menace and have resolution in favour of the Residents.
To conclude the meeting, the chairman said “let me reiterate here that I am committed to serving the people of Amuwo – Odofin Local Government and Festac is our Heritage we must collectively protect it.”
First, he said the Engineers working on the road will be mobilized to return to work on the road.
Secondly,