NCAC reopens Abuja Arts, Crafts village 5-yrs after

By Stanley Onyekwere

The popular Abuja Arts and Crafts village, having over 250 shops has reopened for business, five years after it was shut down.

Announcing the reopening at a Press Conference in Abuja, on Tuesday, Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Segun Runsewe, said the village will be given a face-lift and upgraded to an international tourist destination. Runsewe, noted that the Arts and Crafts village will create more than 300 jobs and become a major source of foreign earner for the nation.

Explaining why the village was shut down five years ago, the Director General said the place had become a den of criminals where drug peddlers, nude club operators, kidnappers found as safe haven.

He added that their activities posed serious threat to guests visiting major public facility close to the village as well as FCT residents.

Meanwhile, the Council in its rules and regulations for the Arts and Crafts village made available to newsmen, which amongst other things declared that only two persons with the tenant or its representative are allowed in each shop, added that sleeping at the Arts and Crafts village is strictly prohibited, while defaulters will be sanctioned by recovery of shop.

It added that the Arts and Crafts Village opens by 7am and closes by 6 pm, and failure to pay rent as at when due shall entitle the Council to recover such shop, whereas all visitors with cars are to pay gate fee of A100 and occupants with car are to pay monthly gate pass of N500.

Also, the market is sectionalized based on different kinds of Arts & Crafts items. No occupant is allowed to sell goods other than the goods meant for the section where he/she occupies.

Equally, all excursions and tours by schools and other organisations to the Arts and Crafts Village must be authorized by the Director General of the Council.

“All forms of criminal activities, such as smoking of hard drugs (Indian hemp, cocaine, etc.) stealing, possession dangerous weapons, etc. are strictly prohibited at the Village. “Hawking is prohibited. 1If caught items will be seized take ful responsibility for the care and welfare of their Pupils/ Students.

“No vehicle is allowed to park over night at the Arts & Crafts Village without he prior approval of the facility Manager otherwise vehicles shall be impounded”, it stated.