The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has banned operation of night clubs within residential areas across the nation’s capital, even as it has set up mobile court to prosecute all off enders. The Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Umar Shuiabu, who disclosed the ban at a briefing last week, stated that the Administration had to take this action due to persistent noncompliance with regulated noise levels by operators of night clubs within residential layouts. He revealed that the Council was inundated with complaints from residents over noise pollution, which disturbs their relaxation and sleep, especially at late night hours.
Shuaib, therefore, ordered the close down of all night clubs within layouts meant for residences, 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 said. 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 on Lungi Crescent; others located on Kampala Street, Cadastrat Zone A08, Wuse II District.
According to him, the Administration, “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.”
Continuing, he said: “According to 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 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 the FCT. “
Also, a developer is not to use the said land except for the purpose for which the space is allocated.” Reaffirming the determination of the Council to be alive to its duties, Shuiabu disclosed 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.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the management of the City is not on autopilot; the Council has the mandate to rid the city of any nuisance, and is doing its best to create the enabling environment for a functionally efficient city for working, living and recreating “Further, to ensure the city is safe for both residents and visitors and realise the beautiful city envisioned by the founding fathers and the Master Plan.”
