The FCT Administration on Thursday warned landlords who have illegally converted their properties into hotels, motels, and brothels to shut down immediately or risk the revocation of their titles.
The Coordinator of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, Umar Shuaibu said the renewed clampdown on the erring hotels, guest houses, and motels was part of measures to curb insecurity in the territory.
He also expressed concerns over the failure of most hotels in the capital city to properly profile their guests, noting that such inaction provides a safe avenue for criminals.
Mr. Shuaibu directed owners of hospitality facilities to ensure they are duly registered and that they profile all their guests and liaise with relevant security agencies with a view to nipping crime in the bud.
"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,” the coordinator said.
“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."
The Coordinator listed the conditions for operating hospitality facilities to include registration and licensing with the Social Development Secretariat.
He also said every hospitality operator must “profile all guests and visitors with 'verifymynin' app."
Mr. Shuaibu gave willing hospitality business owners a one-week window for registration, adding that such businesses must be responsible for their internal security.
"We wish to reiterate that it is not business as usual,” he warned.
“Those who have formed the habit of breaking extant laws of the FCT should know that there is no place for them to hide".
