On Friday, some sections of the social media was awash with the story of Breathe Restaurant and Lounge being sealed by the management of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, (ECTDA) led by Chief Uche Anya.
The report was followed by accusations and counter accusations.
Mr. Ikechukwu Okeke, the owner of Breathe Restaurant and Lounge, described the action of ECTDA as a deliberate attempt to frustrate his business and also an act of Intimidation by the chairman of the agency.
He also said that the place opened for business about 6 weeks ago and was first sealed by the Chairman of ECTDA who lives behind them same week it was opened. After 10 days, the lounge was opened.
He went further to allege that he is making efforts to fulfil the conditions given to him before his lounge was sealed again on September 21st, 2023.
When contacted, the management of ECTDA said the claims by Mr. Okeke is a cheap blackmail of their Chairman and doesn’t represent the truth about the state of the lounge.
The Agency narrated that all the due process was followed in sealing the place. They explained that the buildings in the place has no documented approval with them and even the approval plan brought by the lounge owners was grossly violated.
“We followed all the necessary protocol in line with the law establishing ECTDA to seal the lounge. After the initial sealing of the place, a temporary letter of unsealing was issued to them on September 11th 2023.
“Before this letter was issued, we called the owners to our office and discovered that there’s no document of the plan of the building with us. They couldn’t provide any evidence of payment for the approval they have but said they paid cash in the office of the ex chairman. Even the plan they parade was grossly violated. Because ECTDA operates with a human face, a lot of agreements were reached with the owner of the lounge and these agreements were consummated in an affidavit by Mr. Okeke.
“On the strength of the affidavit, the longe was reopened. Two days after, it was discovered that non of the items in the affidavit was been implemented and the noise pollution continued. This made us to issue a final notice letter dated September 13th, 2023.
“After 8 days this notice was issued, there was no sign that the owner of the lounge wanted to obey the affidavit he swore and this made us seal the place on Thursday,” the management said.
ECTDA enjoined the public to disregard any claim of vendetta nor which hunt as non exists and enjoined the owner of the lounge to do the necessary things as agreed by him and not seek for public pity.
