Residents of FESTAC Town in Lagos State have expressed deep frustration over years of neglect by the federal government and elected representatives, accusing them of abandoning the once-prized residential estate to decay.

Operating under the #TakeBackFestac-Amuwo Movement, the residents said they were tired of political promises and called for immediate intervention from President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio to address the infrastructural collapse in FESTAC and its environs.

Addressing journalists over the weekend, the group’s chairman, Valentine Uduebo, lamented that FESTAC, once a model housing estate and symbol of national pride, has become a shadow of itself due to prolonged neglect.

“Promises have been made, including claims that personnel were mobilized to the site, but all we’ve seen is the absence of a tangible federal presence,” Uduebo said. “We noticed only three people from FERMA at the local government chairman’s office, and since then, not a single federal tractor has been seen anywhere. What work we see on 52 Road and 51 Road is funded by the local government, not the federal government.”

He highlighted the deterioration of key infrastructure, including the perimeter fencing around First, Second, Fourth, and Seventh Avenues, describing them as being in a deplorable state.

The movement also criticized the Senator and House of Representatives member representing the Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency for remaining silent on the community’s challenges. “They have been silent while FESTAC continues to sink deeper into neglect,” Uduebo said. He appealed to President Tinubu to ensure that funds meant for FESTAC-Amuwo reach the community.

The group announced plans for a peaceful protest in Abuja to draw national attention to the community’s plight. “We are not fighting anyone; we simply want to remind the government that we are part of Nigeria,” Uduebo stated. “We deserve roads, hospitals, clean drainages, and federal attention like every other community.”

The group’s treasurer, Chima Nwike, noted that the press briefing aimed to keep the public and government authorities informed about FESTAC-Amuwo’s worsening infrastructure. He recalled that a peaceful protest was previously staged on July 5, 2025, to demand government action.

The residents’ concerns include deplorable roads, illegal shanties on walkways and drainages, conversion of public parks into trading hubs, and worsening transportation issues following the ban on commercial motorcycles (Okada).