The Federal Capital Territory Administration has asked owners of hotels, event centres and other public buildings in the territory to desist from renting out their facilities to illegal organisations, or risk having the tittle documents to such properties revoked.
The administration issued the caution against the backdrop of rising concerns that some private venues are being used for activities that fall outside the law, insisting that lands and buildings allocated within the Federal Capital Territory are strictly for lawful purposes.
Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, in a statement on Friday, maintained that allocations of lands in the FCT are strictly to carry out lawful activities,” adding that “going forward, title documents of any event center, hotel or public building that is used for the gathering of illegal organizations will be revoked.”
The statement further explained that the decision is tied to ongoing efforts to support security agencies in safeguarding the nation’s capital. “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 added that the move is intended to prevent private facilities from becoming venues for activities that could jeopardise public peace. “This is aimed at ensuring that they are not used by illegal organizations for gatherings capable of disrupting the peace of the nation’s capital.”
Facility owners were advised to make due diligence a priority before admitting any group. “Owners of these facilities are therefore urged to take cognizance of the legality of organizations seeking to use their facilities and the purpose before letting them out.”
The administration also drew attention to political activities in the territory, warning operators to be mindful of those seeking to book their premises. “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 recognised leadership of political parties in respect of the use of their facilities, and proper records of transactions must be kept.”
It warned that non-compliance would attract stiff consequences. “Failure to comply with this directive will result to revocation of the title documents such properties.
