By Stanley Onyekwere
The Federal Capital Territory Administration ( FCTA) yesterday demolished a relaxation spot, Spotlight Garden Events and Recreation, and revoked its allocation for allegedly violating its park operation timeline policy.
It was learnt the allottee and the operator of the demolished garden, located in Wuye District of Abuja, had been served several notices, for continuously violating the policy.
The Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council ( AMMC) Umar Shuaibu said the development followed an attack by hoodlums at the garden last week, leading to death of a security operative.
He explained that the decision to demolish the garden immediately after the attack, was to serve as deterrent to others who may want to violate the rules, and jeopardising the lives of residents.
He added that the facilities will not only be demolished and allocation revoked, but allottee and the operator will henceforth be prosecuted for the violation of extant regulations and policy.
Shuaibu, argued that FCTA was enforcing the 7 pm close time for parks and gardens, because of the peculiar security situation in the nation’s capital.
According to him, both the allottee and the operator of the garden will be prosecuted for the violation of the regulations leading to the attack and killing of the security officer.
“Just last week at a park, called spotlight Garden Events and Recreation in Wuye District, the operator flagrantly violated our closing time regulation by operating beyond 7:00pm.
“This attracted the activities of armed hoodlums who gunned down a gallant security officer in cold blood. This could have been avoided if they had complied with our regulations.
“The Park allottee and the operator will henceforth be prosecuted for the violation of the regulations and for creating the enabling environment that led to the death of an innocent citizen. Already the park operator has been arrested.
“ Hence, this allocation stands revoked and the site will be demolished and recovered by the Administration immediately.
“This should serve as a warning to all park allottees and operators who deem it fit to arrogantly violate the laid down rules and regulations”, he added.
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