Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Chairman, Prince Lanre Sanusi, flagged off the rehabilitation of Road 23 and other key infrastructure projects in FESTAC Town on Oct. 16. He promised to bring back the area’s lost glory despite urban problems. The ceremony along this busy commercial road showed the council’s focus on fixing traffic and growing business in the crowded Lagos suburb.
Speaking at the event, Sanusi called Road 23 a lifeline for trade, as most buses and vehicles use it for entry. “This road is a very important road; it’s a commercial road, most of the commercial transports usually come through this access,” he said. The work continues from the last administration, bringing back the original contractor to finish it, with quick fixes also starting on Second Avenue, 52 Junction, and roads in Jakande Estate.
Sanusi told residents the Road 23 job will end in four weeks to cut disruptions. “Based on what I have discussed with the contractor, we pray that this project will be completed within the next four weeks,” he said. He linked the effort to reviving FESTAC’s 1977 fame, matching goals for safety, cleanliness, and lasting city fixes in Amuwo-Odofin.
The chairman spoke openly on big issues, checking market and home areas along Road 23 where illegal shops and shacks have grown, even under high-tension wires and on drains. “They are risking their lives on the high tension and every little rain, you see the entire road flooded because the drainage is blocked,” Sanusi warned. To mix enforcement with care, he announced new spots for traders, like painted containers in safe places—only for verified FESTAC or Amuwo-Odofin people. “We want to see a way of still accommodating them, but in a better location. Probably having like a container painted with the local government colour, and then having them moved away from the drainage,” he added.
Sanusi also cleared up recent trouble from a demolition on Sixth Avenue, saying the council had no part. “I want to put this on record that the buildings that were demolished on 6th Avenue, the local government has absolutely nothing to do with it,” he said, blaming the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). He asked the FHA to work with the council next time: “Subsequently if they want to carry out some of these things, there’s need for them to contact the local government… so they don’t keep mentioning the name of the Lagos government.” This call seeks better teamwork and less wrong info.
To the contractor, Sanusi repeated the council’s help for fast work, with no hold-ups in papers or payments. He warned the firm to keep quality high, or it could drag on FESTAC’s road woes. “We’re trying our best in making sure that the sanity… this is FESTAC and we are working… to bring back the glory of FESTAC ’77,” he said.
The event highlighted other plans, like moving traders at Agboju Market and telling those under high-tension wires to leave for safety. Community leaders and residents there backed the push, seeing the projects as ways to build unity, links, and growth in FESTAC’s changing area.
The flag-off brought top council staff, traditional rulers, market groups, journalists, and reps from affected communities, showing wide support for Sanusi’s plan to renew FESTAC.
