FESTAC Town Residents Urged to Take Ownership of Security and Sanitation
The Festival Town Residents Association (FTRA) Community 1 in FESTAC Town, Lagos, has issued a strong appeal for residents to assume greater responsibility for the development and safety of their neighborhood. This call to action emphasizes active participation in environmental sanitation, physical wellness programs, security vigilance, and the protection of public infrastructure.
Community Meeting Addresses Growing Concerns
The urgent appeal was delivered during the community's monthly general meeting and sanitation exercise, where residents and stakeholders gathered to discuss practical solutions to escalating security threats and environmental challenges. The meeting served as a platform to address the pressing issues facing the FESTAC community and to mobilize collective action.
Convener of EcoFit Festac Town and FTRA executive, Irikefe Ako Edeme, highlighted the innovative EcoFit initiative, which creatively combines exercise routines with environmental sanitation activities. This approach is designed to encourage broader resident participation by making community clean-up efforts more engaging and accessible.
"Many residents currently limit their cleaning efforts to the immediate front of their homes, leaving the wider communal environment neglected," Irikefe explained. "By introducing exercise components before sanitation activities, we aim to attract more participants and foster a more interactive experience. Historically, the Federal Housing Authority managed road sweeping and environmental maintenance, but these services are no longer consistently provided. FESTAC belongs to all of us collectively, and we must collectively take responsibility for maintaining its cleanliness."
Platform for Discussion and Action
Secretary of FTRA Community 1, Justice Unanka, emphasized that the monthly meetings provide a crucial forum for discussing essential community needs, including electricity supply reliability, road conditions, security protocols, and other infrastructural concerns. He also detailed various initiatives, such as the Youth Vanguard Against Drug Abuse, which are specifically targeted at addressing social and environmental challenges within the neighborhood.
Assistant Women Coordinator, Ibiso Dokubo, confirmed that the sanitation exercises will continue on a regular schedule to improve overall cleanliness and strengthen cooperation among residents. Additionally, she highlighted ongoing construction efforts to complete the FTRA Town Hall and Secretariat, which will serve as a central venue for meetings, social gatherings, and community activities, further enhancing communal cohesion.
Collective Responsibility and Infrastructure Protection
A special guest at the meeting, Stella Foluke Osafile of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Amuwo-Odofin Constituency I, stressed the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding public infrastructure. Osafile cited the recent theft of six solar streetlights and several manhole covers in the area as a stark example of the vulnerabilities facing the community.
In a supportive gesture, Osafile donated cash and seventy solar light remote controls to aid in the maintenance of existing solar streetlights. She also commended residents for their attendance at the meeting, despite noting a lower than expected turnout, acknowledging their commitment to community improvement.
Addressing Theft, Vandalism, and Social Issues
Zone 2 Coordinator, Jones Chukwubike, raised serious concerns regarding theft and vandalism, revealing that household items, more than fifteen manhole covers, and several solar-powered streetlights had been stolen recently. He further highlighted additional social issues, including noise pollution, unauthorized individuals sleeping in public spaces, and mentally unstable persons roaming the neighborhood, all of which contribute to security and quality of life concerns.
Acting Chairman, Chief Azunna Nwaogu, urged all residents to actively participate in community activities, remain vigilant in monitoring their surroundings, watch out for their neighbors' welfare, and contribute to environmental beautification by planting trees and flowers protected with iron guards.
Chairman of J1 Close and Coordinator of Zone 3, Marley Kudu, encouraged residents to maintain a clean and secure environment. He specifically advised youths to acquire vocational skills to remain productive, thereby reducing the likelihood of engaging in criminal activities and contributing positively to community stability.
The collective message from FTRA leadership and stakeholders is clear: the safety, cleanliness, and development of FESTAC Town depend on the active involvement and shared responsibility of every resident, working together to address both immediate and long-term community challenges.
