Rumble In Gombe Over Demolition Of Hotels, Joints
There is disquiet in Gombe State following the ban on social activities especially night clubs and ‘gala’ (Dancing performance) by the state government.
There used to be gala houses in the state capital where young girls and ladies dance in the night and onlookers sprays money on them in appreciation. Such social activity had been an occupation and source of earning a living by the dancing performers and owners of the houses.
However, the government of Gombe State recently banned such gala houses citing immorality and security problems as reasons behind the decision. To impose the ban, the government set up a taskforce led by the chairman of the Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSUPDA) as chairman with the members from security agencies.
DAYLIGHT REPORTERS reports that erring gala houses that defied the ban were demolished by the taskforce, the development that made some of them to resort to using their residential houses as alternative. Still, the taskforce would not let them be whenever it discovered such houses as it brings the buildings down.
Sounding stubborn, the gala houses operators now decided to rent small hotels for their performance, the situation that also incurred the wrath of the authorities that extended the demolition exercise to the hotels.
In furtherance of its resolve ‘to rid the state capital of immoral acts, the committee also embarked on demolition of brothels where prostitutes converge and offer commercial sex services.
The government believes that the exercise was a commitment to enhancing public safety and addressing social issues.
RESIDENTS HAIL GOV’T
Residents living close to such brothels have hailed the demolition exercise saying the places pose social threats. According to them, their children could learn bad habits and immoral acts as they see them happening everyday.
Some said the girls operating in the brothels dress indecently and move about around the area, the situation they opined is unpleasant for them.
In a commendation letter to the taskforce issued by a citizen of the state on February 15th, one A. A Rufa’i, he opined that the exercise could enhance public safety.
“The demolition of prostitution sites contributes significantly to improving public safety by eliminating spaces associated with criminal activities, including drug trafficking and violence. The removal of these sites enhances the overall well-being of communities, fostering a safer environment for residents, particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children.
“While demolition addresses immediate concerns, a comprehensive approach that includes social services, education, and economic opportunities is essential to address the root causes of prostitution effectively. This approach should focus on providing support and rehabilitation for individuals affected by the closure of these sites.”, he said.
He also recommended that alongside demolition efforts, the government should ensure the availability of support services for individuals impacted by the closure of prostitution sites.
“These services may include access to healthcare, counselling, vocational training, and alternative livelihood opportunities to facilitate their integration into society. Engaging with local communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), religious leaders and other stakeholders is crucial for understanding the underlying issues and concerns related to prostitution.
“In addition to addressing existing prostitution sites, the government should implement preventive measures to deter the establishment of new sites in the future. This may involve enhancing surveillance, increasing law enforcement presence, and implementing zoning regulations to restrict the operation of illicit activities.”, he suggested.
SOME HOTELS CONDEMN DEMOLITION
Meanwhile, some hotels proprietors have condemned the demolition exercise saying it is unjustified.
The management of FINA Lodge in a press release issued to our correspondent lamented that the exercise was reckless.
According to them, their lodge was established in 1998 saying until its demolition by the Gombe State Task Force on the closure of gala houses and joints on the 14th of February 2024, is situated at Unguwan Waja, Bolari Quarters, Gombe.
They insisted that FINA Lodge is a registered business name having the requisite permits and governmental approvals to operate and function in the hospitality business and has been paying all its taxes to the government.
Aside that, they claimed that FINA Lodge submits daily reports to the CID, Immigration, and DSS, while ensuring prompt payment of revenue to the Revenue Board.
“FINA Lodge is neither a Gala Hall, dance house or brothel but a reputable Guest House, managed and operated by a team of proficient and law-abiding hospitality staff, who are cognisant of the regulatory ordinances and its modus operandi thereof, always ensure that FINA Lodge was managed following all regulatory laws.
Butressing their points further, they said the management always kept a register of guests received and ‘cooperatively partnered with the men and officers of the Police Command and DSS, availing them of all our guest registers and uninhibited access to FINA Lodge, whenever they so desired’.
The management added that they prohibited the sale of any alcohol, beer, denatured spirits, injurious spirits, or intoxicating liquor and it has no bar or restaurant in the lodge.
However, they lamented that despite ‘their due diligence and uninhibited cooperation with the authorities’, on Wednesday the 14th of February 2024, the men, and officers of the Task Force, ‘without any notice’ came with bulldozers and caterpillars and demolished FINA Lodge from its roof to its foundation.
They also complained that ‘in an irascible display of nonchalance for the hard-earned property of the citizenry in these times of hardship, the task force after demolishing FINA Lodge did not leave any security in place to ward off looters, leading to its invasion by over 1000 scavengers and thieves, who went on to steal valuable items including televisions, electrical appliances, beds, mattresses, pillows, wardrobes, curtains, refrigerators, and air-conditioners.
“They also removed and looted glass windows, doors roofs and in its entirety all of FINA Lodge’s properties.”, the hotel management decried.
LAWYERS BERATE TASKFORCE
Lawyers in the state under the umbrella of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Gombe Branch observed with dismay the ‘insensitivity displayed by Gombe State Government through its Task Force on Gala Houses and Joints in brazen and wanton destruction of certain hotels under the guise of demolition of Gala Houses’.
The legal practitioners argue that demolition does not come without notice after a confirmation of the law enabling the relevant authority so to do.
“It is with all sense of responsibility that I state without equivocation that, what was witnessed on 14/2/2024 was to say the least carelessness of the highest order. Pulling down structures erected with hard-earned moneys and supervising lawless attitude of mob in stealing and or looting what was legitimately acquired and installed and or stored in the structures demolished without rebuke and or arrest of the perpetrators thereby making it glaring the insensitivity of the Task Force promoting criminality in the circumstances.
“Nigeria is not in the state of anarchy or mercantilist era, we are protected by the rule of law not rule of force.
WE CONDEMN IN STRONG TERMS the pattern adopted by the task force and call on the Government to inaugurate a committee to review the entire situation and adequately compensate the owners of the illegally demolished structures as what was sort to be addressed were the vices not the hard-earned wealth of the owners.”, the association stated.
