By Joyce Babayeju
The Executive Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has warned against the harassment of government officials and residents of the council by illegal revenue collectors.
During a world press conference, Tuesday in Abuja, Maikalangu said that satellite areas like Dei Dei, Nyanya, University of Abuja bridge are designated for agents of the council to check for revenues.
He advised residents to report anyone harassing them for revenue to AMAC or the nearest police station for prosecution, saying the council has a mobile court to prosecute offenders.
He said: “This press briefing is very important at this time as it is an opportunity to reawaken the consciousness of residents of the Council and also to correct the anomalies making round within our revenue generating sector.
“It is observed that some of our revenue collectors are overstepping their bounds by collecting revenues on streets naming/numbering and mobile advertisement from unsuspecting Nigerians within the city center. Some of them have chased and collected number plates of vehicles from the Presidency, National Assembly, Embassies, Ministries, Departments and Agencies. The reports of these dastard acts have caused the Council a lot of embarrassment and have given us a bad name.
“As a responsible government, it is our duty to redeem our image that is battered with bad names attach to it. Consequently, we hereby resolve as follows:
“Henceforth, we advise all revenue collector in charge of street naming/house numbering and mobile advertisement to kindly desist from the Federal Capital City and concentrate more on the satellite towns and other communities within the Council. We will henceforth situate our staff in a designated and organized centers, in places such as University of Abuja Area, Nyanya, and Deidei axis to professionally coordinate the activities and collection of mobile Advert for the Council.
“Revenue collectors are advised not to allow touts and fake revenue collectors to take advantage of this notice and dupe the unsuspecting citizens, as this will enable us to bring sanity to our revenue generation and make the revenue collectors responsive and responsible for any action taken.
“If you operating any thing such as wrong parking or park and pay be professional and don’t jump on vehicles, stop dragging car keys with drivers, if you are cought you will be treated as a criminal. I repeat you will be treated as a criminal. Our team of security agencies will commence a routine Checking in collaboration with our Taskforce to arrest anyone claiming to be AMAC staff on the road. We will no longer tolerate it. If you are arrested you will be prosecuted immediately my our Mobile court.
“I want to inform you that the Council reserve the right to revoke the License(s) of revenue collector(s) who choose to go contrary to this advice. We will regard such partner (s) as traitor (s) and will be treated as such.
“The general public are advised to treat this message with utmost important and hereby enjoined to report such anomalies to the Council Revenue Division.
“I want to assure you that the Council is resolute in our commitment to deliver on our campaign promises and we are not unmindful of the current economic situation. We promise to inform you on every step we take and urge you to keep faith with us. We are resolute in our commitment to deliver on our campaign promises. ”
He added: “The collection of haulage is by the FCT Transport Secretariat, not AMAC. They are the ones harassing motorists and commuters, so I want to see the Honourable Minister about it. The unfortunate thing is that when we arrest them, they will claim they’re working for FCTA.
“However, FCTA will say they don’t know them. Therefore, it’s a problem that needs to be tackled with the cooperation of residents. If you see them or if they want to harass you, drive them to the nearest police station or AMAC. We have a mobile court and security agents that will handle the matter.
“Again, I want to urge residents to pay their revenues to AMAC so that we can continue providing democratic dividends to people. We need revenues to provide basic amenities for people. Pay into AMAC account, don’t pay cash to anyone as we are determined to make AMAC better for all of us.”
