Terror Alert: FCTA Moves To Shut Down Hotels In Residential Areas

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the aegis of Abuja Metropolitan Management Agency (AMMC) has threatened to shut down or revoke title documents of hotels operating in residential areas in the FCT.

AMMC asserted that the punitive measures would be taken after the expiration of a two-week ultimatum given to them.

This was revealed by AMMC coordinator, Mr Umar Shuaibu, during a press conference on Thursday, stressing that the renewed clamp down against erring hotels, guest houses, motels, among others in the FCT, was to help curb insecurity in the nation’s capital.

The coordinator explained that the unregistered hospitality facilities provided avenues for criminal elements to hide and perpetrate their crimes, adding that all hotels, and the likes, must be shut down.

He also stated that all operators willing to comply with its guidelines should use the available window (one week) for registration, adding that such operators must be responsible for their own internal security arrangements.
He warned all operators to comply.

He said, “We wish to reiterate that it is not business as usual. The FCTA has observed with great concern that some random persons altered their land use from the initial approved purpose to hospitality purposes, many of these contraventions are residential quarters that were converted to hotels, brothels, etc. These constitute security challenges in the entire territory.

“Also identified is that many criminal elements disguise themselves and check into some of these hospitality services as guests and hide out before and after carrying out their nefarious activities.”

“These property owners are operating hotels without following the appropriate procedure of acquiring all necessary approvals from the relevant agencies of the FCT administration,” he added.