By Eunice Orike
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned owners of event centres, hotels and other public facilities in Abuja against allowing illegal groups to use their properties for meetings or activities.
The administration said any property found hosting gatherings linked to unlawful organisations risks losing its land title documents.
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.
According to the statement, the move is part of efforts to strengthen security in the Federal Capital Territory and support security agencies in maintaining peace and order.
The FCTA said activities in event centres, hotels and other public buildings would now be closely monitored to ensure they are not being used for activities capable of threatening public peace in the nation’s capital.
It advised owners of such facilities to properly verify the identity and legality of groups seeking to rent their venues before approving bookings.
The administration also warned that, with political activities increasing ahead of future elections, hotel and event centre operators must only deal with leadership recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when political parties request the use of their facilities.
The statement added that operators are expected to keep proper records of all transactions and bookings.
“Failure to comply with this directive will result in the revocation of the title documents of such properties,” the statement said.
