Alaga 360 Exclusive Interview: Addressing Festac Town’s Road Infrastructure Issues with Hon. Nwachukwu Chukwuemeka
Festac Town, a once-thriving residential and commercial hub, has faced growing concerns over its deteriorating infrastructure, particularly its road network. To shed light on this pressing issue, Alaga 360 sat down with Hon. Nwachukwu Chukwuemeka—a seasoned businessman, politician, and long-time resident of Festac Town for over 47 years. This exclusive interview unpacks his insights into the challenges, the roles of key stakeholders, and the way forward for Festac’s infrastructure revival.
A Brief Introduction to Hon. Nwachukwu Chukwuemeka
When asked to share more about himself, Hon. Nwachukwu was succinct:
“I am Hon. Nwachukwu Chukwuemeka, a businessman and a politician. I have also lived in Festac Town for the past 47 years.”His decades-long presence in Festac Town has made him a key stakeholder with firsthand experience of the community’s evolution and struggles.
The Challenges Behind Festac Town’s Bad Roads
On the topic of Festac’s road conditions, Hon. Nwachukwu provided a sobering assessment:
“It’s a question of having to face overwhelming challenges, paucity of needed resources, lackadaisical attitude of the ownership, and a lacklustre group of inhabitants. Until these three issues are addressed systematically, the problems will continue.”This multi-faceted perspective points to systemic issues that go beyond mere neglect, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and unified effort to tackle the problem.
Should Engr. Dr. Comrade Valentine Oluwaseyi Buraimoh Be Blamed?
Some critics have directed their frustrations at the Chairman of Amuwo Odofin LGA, Engr. Dr. Comrade Valentine Oluwaseyi Buraimoh. However, Hon. Nwachukwu believes this approach oversimplifies the problem:
“Festac Town is owned by the three different tiers of government. Lagos State owns the land, leases it to FHA, and the Amuwo Odofin LGA headquarters is in Festac Town, where the residents are tenants to the FHA. For tangible and effective administration, the three tiers must work in cohesion for veritable deliveries.”He emphasized that without a coordinated effort between Lagos State, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), and the local government, sustainable solutions will remain elusive. This “tripartite approach,” as he termed it, is essential to overcoming Festac’s infrastructural challenges.
Moving Beyond the Blame Game
When asked about solutions, Hon. Nwachukwu underscored the importance of collaboration over assigning blame:
“It mustn’t be a blame game. The approach should be that of rapprochement by the three tiers, which are stakeholders in the Festac Town project. All hands should be on deck to resolve the infrastructural debacle.”He acknowledged the efforts of the Amuwo Odofin LGA but stressed that their work alone is insufficient:
“The LGA spends a lot of money annually to maintain the roads. Therefore, you can imagine how better things will be if the FHA and the Lagos State Government come in fully to complement the efforts of the LGA.”The Role of the Amuwo Odofin LGA Chairman
Despite criticisms, Hon. Nwachukwu commended the work of Engr. Dr. Comrade Valentine Oluwaseyi Buraimoh, citing his commitment to road maintenance in Festac and beyond:
“Based on standing conventions, the Chairman has been very alive to doing his best for road maintenance, not just in Festac Town but Amuwo Odofin LGA generally. Festac inner roads receive the intermittent attention they deserve.”He further explained the geographical challenges inherent to Festac Town’s terrain, which was once waterlogged:
“The topography of Festac Town, being an erstwhile waterlogged terrain, makes it unavoidably realistic that the roads must be touched steadily. I can tell anyone that the road will need to be maintained continuously by whoever is in charge.”A Call for Unified Action
Hon. Nwachukwu’s overarching message is clear: Festac Town’s infrastructural woes require collective action from all stakeholders. The interplay between Lagos State, the FHA, and the local government is crucial to creating a sustainable and livable environment for Festac residents.He concluded the interview by expressing his optimism for change and his appreciation for platforms like Alaga 360:
“It was my pleasure to be heard on your platform.”Final Thoughts
The plight of Festac Town’s roads mirrors the broader infrastructural challenges in many Nigerian communities. Hon. Nwachukwu’s insights offer a balanced perspective, recognizing both the commendable efforts of local leadership and the gaps that need to be filled through collaboration at all levels of government.As stakeholders and residents continue to navigate these challenges, one thing remains clear: sustainable solutions will require a collective commitment to progress, transcending the blame game to foster cooperation and tangible action.
