Karu LG to regulate nightclubs, liquor consumption

The chairman of Karu Local Government Area, Mr Samuel Akala, has said he will soon constitute a task force that will regulate activities of nightclubs and pubs as a measure to tackle cultism and other crimes in the area.

Akala, who spoke at the swearing in ceremony of the council’s secretary, supervisory councillors and special advisers, yesterday at the local government secretariat, Ado, Karu, Nasarawa state, said bye-laws have been enacted to that effect.

He said insecurity, occasioned by cult activities, was one of the challenges confronting the local government, adding that he was not afraid to confront the menace, hence the need to set up the task force.

The chairman explained that the local government was not going to clamp down on the nightclubs or pubs in a lawless manner, saying only those who register with and pay tax to the council would be allowed to operate.

“What I have said is consistent with our byelaws. The 1999 Constitution as amended has given the local governments the power to enact bye-laws to regulate citizens’ conduct and that is what we are doing. In our laws, you dare not operate a nightclub or a pub without first acquiring licence. In that licence we will state the duration of operation, what time you are supposed to open and when to close,” he said.

He blamed the high rate of crime in the local government on its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory, saying it was necessary to arrest the trend.

He charged the appointees, who included, Emmanuel Dachor (council secretary), Mero Musa ( supervisory councillor for health), Abubakar Maiwada (special duties), James Maikasuwa (education), Nasiru Usman (works, land and transport) and Dauda Karshi (finance) amongst others to work tirelessly to change the story of Karu.

He urged them to remain loyal to his administration as it was a difficult task choosing them from among many qualified citizens of Karu council.

Mr Yamusa Godiya-Bawa, Zonal Chief Magistrate in charge of Nasarawa West, who swore-in the appointees in to office, enjoined them to discharge their duties responsibly.

Responding on behalf of other appointees, Secretary of the Council, Mr Emmanuel Dachor, thanked the chairman for giving them the opportunity to serve and promised to support all the programmes of the council.