Date: 2018-03-15

The Kwara State Cool Spots Association of Nigeria have appealed to the state government to consider lifting ban on alcoholic sales and consumption in some parts of Ilorin, the state capital.

Speaking to Pilot Business, the state President of the association, Chief Moses Ola said the Kwara State House of Assembly had earlier shun their plea over the issue.

According to him, the association was not consulted by the lawmakers before passing the bill.

"We wrote to the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad during the consideration of the bill, to invite and hear from us but he replied that it's too late, " Ola explained.

He appealed to Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed to consider them by lifting the ban since they are employers of labour in the state.

"We are also paying our taxes thereby contributing to economic growth of the state. Most of us are licensed to operate our cool spots, "he further said. Also speaking, the owner of Happiness Bar, Surulere area, Mr. Atere Adeshina said most cool spot operator would be thrown out of job with the policy.

He said: "It is with this business that we feed our families and send our children to schools. I have been struggling for government job but couldn't get. We want the governor to consider our situations.

Another cool spots owner, simply identified as Mama Joy of Surulere area stressed that since her husband died a decade ago she has been running the bar to maintain the family.

Recall that Governor Ahmed on Tuesday signed into law a bill prohibiting production, sale, and consumption of alcohol in certain areas of the state capital.

Ahmed gave his assent to the Ilorin Township (Prohibition Against the Production, Sale, and Consumption of Liquor in Certain Areas) Law, 2018, as passed by the Kwara State House of Assembly.

Under the law, no person will be allowed to produce, sell, store or openly consume alcohol within specified areas in the metropolis.

The bill stipulates that any person who contravenes the provision of the law would be guilty of an offense and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N 100, 000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both.