26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2013
Residents protest sale of community park in Festac town BY JUDE NJOKU
W
HAT an irony! At a time when the Federal Government is collaborating with the Lagos State Government and key stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the bastardization of the master plan of Festac Town and the decay of its infrastructure, an unidentified developer has bought one of the few remaining open spaces in the Town. The alleged acquisition of the park has not gone down well with some residents of the estate,
hence they have begun moves to stop any development on the land. Some of the residents
under the aegis of Community 111D Residents Association, have already petitioned the
The controversial open space in Festac Town
Minister of Housing, Lands and Urban Development, Ms. Amal Pepple to wade into the
matter with a view to halting any development on the site. The group alleged that the
acquisition of the community park would lead to a major dislocation of key infrastructural facilities that serve thousands of residents of this section of the town. The Chairperson of the Residents Association, Mrs Carol Olowole, explained why they are kicking against the sale of the open space. In a press statement made available to Vanguard Homes & Property, she alleged that the “said parcel of land is situated along the very busy 11 Road by 112 Road, behind FO Filling Station, underneath well tarred area and infrastructural facilities such as large water pipes, storm-water drainage pipes, water valves, manholes, inspection chambers, large sewage pipes, heavy duty armored electrical cables and telecommunications lines among other critical facilities”.
Collapse in the system Another resident of the area, Mr. Rufus Ogundana, an Engineer, posited that any construction on the site would result into total collapse in the system, thereby leading to a major environmental catastrophe which is bound to have serious social dimensions. Some of the envisaged environmental problems include: sewage overflows, excessive flooding during the rainy season, disruption of electricity supply and damage to all roads and walk-ways in the area. “The said parcel of land was originally designated by the Federal Housing Authority, FHA since 1977 as a community park and preserved over the years in conformity with the master plan of Festac Town. Ironically, some of the town planners, engineers, architects and estate managers who were foundation management of the Federal Housing Authority are members of the association and live within the community,” the Association clarified. Vanguard Homes & Property learnt that until a few days ago, the site was occupied by auto mechanics. They have however been dislodged by FHA officials to pave way for the developer to commence construction works.