The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a strong warning to owners of event centres, hotels and other public facilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), cautioning them against allowing their premises to be used by illegal organisations, and threatening revocation of title documents for non-compliance.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka.
The FCTA stressed that land allocations within the territory are strictly meant for lawful purposes, adding that facilities found to have been used for unlawful gatherings would face severe sanctions.
“Going forward, title documents of any event centre, hotel or public building that is used for the gathering of illegal organisations will be revoked.”
The administration said the directive is part of renewed efforts to strengthen security in the nation’s capital and support ongoing operations by security agencies.
“In view of the need to further ensure the security of lives and properties in the FCT and sustain the efforts of security agencies in this regard, usage of Event Centres, Hotels and other public buildings will now be closely monitored.”
It warned that proprietors must exercise due diligence in verifying the legality of organisations seeking to hire their facilities.
“This is aimed at ensuring that they are not used by illegal organisations for gatherings capable of disrupting the peace of the nation’s capital.”
The FCTA further advised owners of such facilities to ensure strict compliance, particularly in relation to political activities during the current political season.
“Owners of these facilities are therefore urged to take cognisance of the legality of organisations seeking to use their facilities and the purpose before letting them out.”
“For instance, in this political season, owners of Event Centres and Hotels in particular must ensure that they only deal with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised leadership of political parties in respect of the use of their facilities, and proper records of transactions must be kept.”
The administration warned that failure to comply would attract stiff penalties, including revocation of property titles.
“Failure to comply with this directive will result to revocation of the title documents such properties.”
Boluwatife Enome
