‘FCTA Decision To Close Recreational Parks By 7pm Barbaric And Unconstitutional’ — Human Rights Lawyer, Tietie

A Human Rights Lawyer, Public Affairs Commentator and Executive Director of Citizens Advocacy for Social Economic Rights (CASER) has lambasted and condemned the policy of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to close parks privately operated in Abuja from 7pm, calling it an unconstitutional action as it breached the rights of the citizens, and one that depicts a sadistic administration.

In a statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer, Mr. Tietie condemned the announcement by FCTA in no small measure, saying it was barbaric. The statement read thus in part:

“The recent announcement by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) that recreational parks which are mainly privately operated should close by 7.00 pm is a barbaric attempt to curtail constitutionally guaranteed freedoms to freely move and associate in Nigeria.”

He stated categorically that he couldn’t comprehend how and why recreational Paris would become a haven 9f insecurity, when it was nothing but a social space for the masses. “Recreational parks where persons relax and often socialise by eating grills and taking choice drinks, including alcoholic beverages have not in any way contributed to the gross insecurity currently cascading the larger part of the Nigerian landscape.” He stated.

Mr. Tietie who stated that the parks were the bane for nightlife in the city, viewed that it was indeed 7pm that business was at the peak for them, and that the government’s decision balls down to selfishness and lack of ideas. His words were thus: “These parks are the main visible signs of nightlife in the Federal Capital City and their peak periods usually begin from 7 pm to past midnight. They serve as the vestiges of freedom and getaways from the cauldron of pressures in living in the Nigerian society that is largely misgoverned by selfish politicians who seek their own good and demonstrated a lack of ingenious ideas to improve the life of the people.”

He stated unapologetically that, only a sadistic administration that is bent on spreading misery will make a policy that will hamper what legitimately brings happiness to the majority of people living in the FCT.

Remarking on the inspiration behimd the policy, Mr. Tietie opined that it can only be a hidden agenda and intolerance by the administration of the alternative way of life that could have led to the policy. His words read in part thus: “Except for a hidden agenda, there are no verifiable mischiefs to be prevented when recreational parks are required to be closed at the time of the day when their services are needed the most.”

“If the present FCTA is predominantly operated by persons with such a high level of intolerance for alternative ways of life, they must understand and should be reminded that Nigeria is a secular state and that there is a limit to the power of government to regulate legitimate lifestyles of private individuals. This is especially important in Abuja, the centre of unity and coalescence of various cultures, traditions and lifestyles. Abuja should aim to be more cosmopolitan and not revert to a stone-age status.”

He urged that the government must desist from all such totalitarian tendencies that seek to control people’s lives. According to him, no government should not tell people when to open and close their private businesses, especially in this age and time of democracy and the internet.

It was his view thus: “A responsible government should work assiduously to provide enough security for citizens to freely move and associate at any time of the day. This recent policy of the FCTA is plainly an admission of irresponsibility on the part of the government to provide security.”

Mr. Tietie stated that the policy had crushing effect on small business that was generating employment fpr citizens thanks to decline of the economy. “Whereas business and patronage for owners of recreational parks have been on the decline owing to worsening economic conditions since 2015, this latest policy of the FCTA would literally kill these small businesses which generate both employment for citizens and huge tax revenues for the government.” He stated.

Furthermore, he stated that the Policy was counterproductive and unprogressive in light of the failure of government to provide many incentives for employment creation or significantly raised its revenue base.

It was the strong opinion of Mr. Tietie that should this policy be a success, it was just the first step by the government in taking away freedoms of everyone, men, women, children, as according to him “it was just a matter of time, your freedom, your freedom will be the next victim.”

Charging everyone who treausred their freedom to seek redress, Mr. Tietie stated thus: “Therefore, all men and women of Goodwill and lovers of freedoms suffering assault must now open the floodgates of litigation against this obnoxious policy of the FCTA.It must be resisted!”