Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been assured that the ongoing move by government to sanitize the city will not stifle night life in the city.
The FCT administration had recently embarked on arrests of hoodlums which affected some night clubs and night life within the city
But Minister of the FCT, Mohammed Bello who gave the assurance, however, warned operators of hospitality institutions within the FCT to operate within the extant laws governing the Federal Capital Territory.
Bello while speaking with State House Correspondents cited the case of recent demolision of Caramelo Lounge, a popular strip club, located at N0 630, TOS Benson Crescent, Utako District Abuja, adding that the affected land has now become the property of the government.
He disclosed that the owners breached the laws adding that the master plan makes provisions for all activities including night clubs and does not allow a person to convert a building meant for a clinic into a night club.
“I’m quite interested also with the way I see the feedback from the wider community.
” I have had cause to discuss with many of your colleagues where many people felt that this minister has not been demolishing.
” As a matter of fact `he is not demolishing so he is not working’ – it is due process, brother.
“If you check the record you will be surprised how long it took to reach that painful decision of having to demolish that (property).
“As a matter of fact that all the regulations were there – that the property is no longer owned, it has been reverted to government because it is very clear, check any C-of-O, you will see the conditions.
“If there is a flagrant abuse and there are no efforts to correct that abuse, it reverts back to government.
“But I want you to be rest assured that for every demolition you see maybe a hundred were saved.
He urged Nigerians to ” go that extra mile and follow the law in developing properties in the city”.
The Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCDA) through its Department of Development Control (DDC) had on Monday demolished the controversial Caramelo Lounge for allegedly contravening the FCT land use regulations.
The FCDA authorities also revoked the Certificate-of-Occupancy (C-of-O) issued on the plot.
Bello explained that everything in Abuja was being governed by laws, rules and regulations through the Abuja Master Plan and any violation of the plan would attract sanctions from relevant authorities.
