By Abubakar Yusuf
In a bid to reclaim its lands from encroachment and illegal developments, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has issued a public notice regarding the ongoing demolition exercise. The management of FHA, through an advertorial titled “Removal of Houses on Festac Phase 11: Our Position,” emphasized that the exercise is devoid of any ethnic or discriminatory undertones, contrary to certain speculations.
Kenneth Chigelu, the Head of Public Affairs, released a statement on Monday highlighting the rationale behind the decision. According to Chigelu, the move is consistent with the FHA’s commitment to addressing the proliferation of structures resulting from illegal sales and unauthorized developments within Festac Town 11, which run counter to the Authority’s master plan.
The statement revealed that structures and buildings were erected in violation of the master plan, occupying central positions on major roads, in proximity to canals, and adjacent to oil pipelines. This, the FHA argued, was transforming the area into a modern slum within its estates.
Efforts to curb the illegal proliferation of structures and the activities of land grabbers proved futile, as the perpetrators reportedly engaged thugs, resulting in the assault of FHA staff members undertaking official duties. The management recalled collaborative efforts with the Lagos state government in 2018 to issue “Stop Work” notices on illegal structures, which proved ineffective until 2019.
The FHA commenced the demolition of illegal structures in 2021, defying repeated “Stop Work” orders placed on the affected residences. The Authority justified its actions by citing the proliferation of substandard buildings on swampy land with a collapse-prone soil texture, emphasizing the need for professional approval and supervision.
Furthermore, the FHA expressed concerns about structures being built on major roads outside the master plan, without approvals or professional supervision, raising doubts about the integrity of such constructions. It was noted that houses were erected on roads setbacks, drainages, and other critical infrastructures, often below the road levels, making them susceptible to collapse due to soil settings.
Despite appeals from stakeholders, affected individuals, and illegal developers, the FHA reevaluated its position in January 2022 to salvage structures without compromising standards. The following agreements were reached:
- All developments along road corridors must be demolished.
- Developments around canals and pipelines must be removed.
- Structures uncertified by the FHA must undergo integrity tests.
- All forms of development must cease immediately, with contravention notices issued to affected parties in line with the Verification, Regularization, and Recovery standard (VRR).
However, despite stakeholder meetings, the ongoing VRR, and issued notices, illegal developers and structures continued to proliferate, deviating from the agreed-upon procedures and FHA allocation. This negative trend disrupted Festac Town’s building plans and the master plan.
In response to the confrontational disposition of illegal occupants and the activities of land grabbers, the FHA issued a demolition notice in September 2023, leading to the ongoing exercise. Many buildings were already undergoing regularization by the Authority.
Emphasizing its commitment to safety, the FHA stressed that it would not wait for building collapses to occur before implementing proactive measures. The Authority’s actions are geared towards averting potential dangers in the legacy Festac Town 11 in Lagos.
