Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA has refuted claims of personal vendetta by Mr. Ikechukwu Okeke, the owner of Breathe Restaurant and Lounge.
Mr. Okeke, had accused Chief Uche Anya, the chairman of ECTDA of using government might to coerce his partner into signing an Affidavit, stressing that the actions of ECTDA Boss are personal and not professional.
ECTDA in their response to the new allegations by the lounge owner said rather than address the issues, they’re trying to whip up sentiment.
The regulatory agency expressed shock that “a business without any prove of payment to the State government is trying so hard to force our hands. When the current administration came on board, we asked them for their record of payment, they said they don’t have any because they paid cash in the office of the former chairman.
“Though this doesn’t make any sense but in the spirit of supporting businesses in the state which is one of the promises of our Governor, we overlooked this and decided to look at the purported approval that was given to them. In the document which they’re brandishing, they were given approval for only one building. Go there today, and you’ll see multiple buildings, including a vip lounge.”
“It was when they realised their error that they agreed to swear to an affidavit and promised to get an architect to harmonise the buildings and come for approval so it can be properly documented. They also promised to look into the noise pollution which is a major concern to the residents of the area.
ECTDA management further stated that the claim of vendetta is as laughable as it’s unfounded, adding that the residents of the area have been complaining of the noise pollution by the lounge even before Chief Anya was appointed by Governor Peter Mbah.
“Before the appointment of our Boss, the residents have met with the management of the lounge as contained in a letter written to our office by their lawyer. In the letter, they threatened to drag us to court for failing to do our job. This letter was also addressed to the secretary of the state government, professor Chidiebere Onyia.
In a copy of the letter made available to JOURNALIST101, the residents through their lawyer, complained that “during week days and weekends for the last two months under reference, loud noise coming from the Restaurant/Club and Lounge from the said compound at the back of our clients street is from 5:00pm till about 2 to 3:00am the next morning daily, Life band is being played to such an extent that loud noise produce disturb our clients’ neighbourhood among others.”
“Our clients may be forced to take legal action against the Restaurant/club and Lounge so as to secure their comfort and that of their various households,” the letter reads in part.
ECTDA wondered how the claim of vendetta is rational when the residents have started complaining from the 7th August and their Chairman was appointed on the 23rd of August as can be seen in the letters above.
