FCT Minister threatens to demolish churches, mosques

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Muhammad Bello, has banned the operation of night clubs within residential area across the nation’s capital, even as he has set up mobile courts to prosecute all offenders.

He has also threatened to demolish churches and mosques also found to have violated the law.

Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Umar Shuiabu who handed down the ban on behalf of the Minister, during a media briefing at the weekend, stated that the FCT Administration had to take the action due to persistent non-compliance with regulated noise levels by operators of night clubs within residential layouts.

Revealing that the AMMC was inundated with complaints from FCT residents over noise pollution, which disturbs their relaxation and sleep, especially at late night hours, Shuiabu ordered the close down of all night clubs within layouts meant for residence.

He warned that failure to do so would attract relevant sanctions including demolition of such illegal developments and prosecution.

“The Council has observed the increasing trend of conversion of residential buildings to lounge/night clubs and has taken several steps to address the situation. This is in recognition of the fact that the implications are beyond noise nuisance, and also include intractable traffic challenges within the precinct, and negative social influence on the psyche of youth resident in the area where these lounges are located,” he said.

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He added that the FCT department of Development Control in order to deter the trend, demolished a number of night clubs in the city, including De Point Lounge, hitherto located along Lungi Crescent; others located on Kampala Street, Cadastrat Zone A08, Wuse II district.

According to Shuiabu, the FCT “in order to ensure an inclusionary governance process” in managing the city, convened a meeting with majority of night club operators and owners, where the FCT Permanent Secretary, Sir. Christian Ohaa informed them that their activities were a contravention of the Abuja Master Plan, with a view to having them revert to original use as stipulated in the master plan within 30 days.

“According to clause 10 in the condition of Corticated of Occupancy, a developer is not to erect or build or permit to be erected or built on the said land building other than those permitted to be erected by virtue of this certificate of occupancy nor to make or permit to be made any addition or alteration to the said building to erected or buildings already erected on the land except in accordance with plans and specifications approved by the President or the other officer appointed by the President on his behalf, in this case the Minister of FCT. Also a developer is not to use the said land except for the purpose for which the space is allocated.”

The AMMC boss explained: “For the avoidance of doubt, the management of the City is not on ‘Auto-pilot’, the Council has the mandate to rid the city of any nuisance, and is doing its best to create enabling environment for functionally efficient city for working, living and recreating. Further, to ensure the city is safe for both residents and visitors and realize the beautiful city envisioned by the founding fathers and the Master Plan.”

 

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