Social Dev’t Secretariat Not Drinking Joint- FCTA

By Remi Johnson

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has warned residents and shop owners to stop using the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre of Arts and Culture complex in Garki as a drinking joint.

Mandate Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, FCTA, Mr Ibrahim Masari gave the warning during an emergency meeting with business operators and shop owners at the secretariat in Abuja .

To this end, the Mandate Secretary announced that all shop owners operating businesses within the complex should henceforth close at 7:30 p.m on a daily basis due to security reasons.

He expressed dismay at the level of lawlessness that transpired within the secretariat when he paid an unscheduled visit to the complex around 7:10 p.m. on Oct. 29.

He explained that the visit was to confirm the information he heard about the heinous acts that take place at the complex at night.

“To my dismay, I discovered more than 500 persons within the complex at such late hours, enjoying themselves with alcoholic drinks and smoking indiscriminately.I was not aware of what the event or activity was all about…After waiting patiently till about 8:30 p.m. with no signs of them exiting soon, I invited some of the private security guards on duty who accompanied me to disperse the gathering.

“Management will no longer condone a situation whereby non-staff and tenants in the secretariat will stay back after official closing hours of 7:30 to as late as 9:00 p.m,
members of the public to take note to avoid embarrassment from security personnel.

The Mandate Secretary who noted that Civil Service rule forbids the sale of alcohol or any other intoxicating substances within working premises,
added that an internal mechanism has been activated to sanction business owners who encouraged such lawlessness.

“Business owners and members of the public who transact businesses in the complex after 7:30 p.m. will have themselves to blame if caught flouting this directive.” Masari warned.

Edited By Grace Namiji