Abuja – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has banned operation of night clubs within residential area within the nation’s capital, even as it has set up mobile court to prosecute offenders.
Umar Shuiabu, Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), made this known while briefing journalists in Abuja on Sunday.
Shuiabu said that FCT Administration had to take this action due to persistent non-compliance with regulated noise levels by operators of night clubs within residential layouts.
He however stated that religious bodies, churches and mosques, were also included in this category of noise polluters, and they are to face demolition or prosecution.
He further stated that the Council was inundated with complaints from FCT residents over noise pollution, which disturbs their relaxation and sleep, especially at late night hours.
This, he said, prompted the closure of all night clubs within layouts meant for residence, warning 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 stated.
He added that the FCTA 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 and on Kampala Street, Cadastrat Zone A08, Wuse II district.
Shuiab added, “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.”
He further buttressed that the Clause 10 in the condition of Certificate 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 the 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,” he said.
He reaffirmed the determination of the council to be alive to its duties, adding that the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) had been mandated to “ensure strict compliance to the city regulations, serve abatement notice and shall very soon constitute mobile court to prosecute offenders where necessary.”
