The Federal Housing Authority, FHA, an agency of the Federal government, has disclosed plans to completely demolish 677 houses, while 744 others will be partially demolished over infringement by a developer in Phase 2, Festac Town, Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos State.
FHA’s Southwest Zonal Manager, Mr. Akintola Olagbemiro, disclosed this during an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas.
Olagbemiro lamented that developers erect structures in swampy areas without meeting the requirements despite letters and stakeholders’ meetings.
According to the FHA Zonal Manager: “After so many years of trying to get into the property belonging to FHA, which we labelled as Festac Phase 2. There has been encroachment and illegal development, and it’s turning the place into a slum.”
On her part, the Deputy General Manager, FHA, Urban and Regional Planning, Southwest, Francisca Michael-James, lamented the refusal of developers to adhere to directives ordering them to stop construction.
She said the agency has resorted to getting security backup and start demolishing the affected houses.
On punishment for defaulters, she said: “In the law, if we demolish, we are supposed to penalise the building owner and charge for the fees for the cost of carrying out the operation. Assuming any of the buildings collapsed, the landlord will be charged with manslaughter, but the first point of call will be pointing accusing fingers at the agency. To avoid that, we want to carry out the enforcement. The enforcement will be done soon.
“The first thing we are doing is to clear the road; some of the buildings will be partially demolished for right of way. Six hundred seventy-seven houses will be demolished, and 744 will be demolished partially.”