The Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture complex in Garki, Abuja, should not be used as a drinking establishment by store owners, according to a warning from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).The warning was delivered on Wednesday during an emergency meeting with shop owners and business operators at the FCTA secretariat in Abuja, by Mr. Ibrahim Masari, the Mandate Secretary of the Social Development Secretariat.
Following that, Masari declared 7.30 p.m. to be the daily closing time for all shop owners and businesses located within the complex because of security concerns.
On October 29, at approximately 7:10 p.m., he made an impromptu visit to the secretariat and conveyed his dismay at the degree of lawlessness that was prevalent there.
He clarified that the purpose of the visit was to confirm the accuracy of the information he had about the horrible crimes that take place in the complex during the late hours of the night.
"I was shocked to learn that, even at such late hours, over 500 people were smoking carelessly and enjoying alcoholic beverages inside the property.
"There was no formal announcement to that effect, therefore I had no idea what the event or action was about.
"I asked a few of the on-duty private security personnel to help me disperse the gathering after I waited patiently until around 8:30 p.m. and saw no indications that they would be leaving anytime soon.
This is quite unsettling.
"After official closing hours, to as late as 9 p.m., management will no longer tolerate a situation where non-staff and tenants in the secretariat stay back," he declared.
The mandate scribe announced that the public should take note of the 7.30 p.m. closure hour on Thursday to prevent embarrassing themselves in front of security guards.
He emphasized that the selling of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance within working premises is prohibited by the civil service rule.
He continued by saying that an internal system has been put in place to penalize company owners who support this kind of lawlessness and disobedience to the current regulations.
"If caught breaking this rule, business owners and members of the public who conduct business in the complex after 7.30 p.m. will be held accountable."
"Our private security guards have received the appropriate advice," he stated.
He clarified that the choice had to be made immediately, taking into account both the safety of people and government property.