By Muhammad Tanimu
Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA)Task Force on COVID-19 has sealed two commercial places in Karu site over violation of COVID-19 protocols.
Head, Media and Enlightenment FCTA COVID-19 Enforcement Team, Ikharo Attah who led the exercise on Monday, said the decision followed calls from the residents over violation of the safety guidelines by the operators.
He said, “we received several calls from residents of Karu-site that they have some persons who keep very large gatherings at night; we came in and discovered them, we went to court and prayed the Judge, and her Lordship gave us seal off order for the property, Karu Paris Lounge and Cool Leo, which we have done.
“Besides the case of COVID-19 which is the key issue, these are highly populated residential areas, so the owners must revert to the original approved use within two weeks. If they fail to do the needful, bulldozers will enter there after the expiration of the deadline”
Attah explained that the Task Force operation was not limited to a particular area, but comprehensive, saying any acquisition from some persons on selective exercise was unfounded.
However, the FCT mobile court sitting at Eagle Square convicted 72 violators of COVID-19 health protocols.
In her ruling, the chief Magistrate, Idayat Akanni said the violators pleaded guilty and were sentenced to pay a fine of N2,000 each or undertake one week community service.
The court Prosecutor, Udeme Umana, had informed the court that the defulters were found not wearing facemasks, and some of them, who had one not wearing it properly.
Ikharo Attah, Head, Media and Enlightenment of FCTA COVID-19 Enforcement team, said the desire of the Administration is to sustain the enforcement.
He said the minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello with FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma’s mandate on sustaining the fight against COVID-19 in the city must be obeyed.