By Daniel Tyokua
The chairman Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Maikalangu has declared his administration’s opposition to touting in the Federal Capital City by unauthorized persons claiming to be revenue agents of the council.
He said his administration will not take things likely with anyone caught causing nuisances and threat to security in the name of tax agent.
Briefing journalists at the council’s secretariat on Tuesday, he said henceforth legitimate officials of AMAC in charge of revenue are allowed to only operate at the outskirts.
Maikalangu listed University of Abuja permanent site, Nyanya on Abuja- Keffi expressway, and Dei-Dei on Kubwa express way as areas approved for AMAC revenue agents to operate.
He said the council would not hesitate to disapprove any revenue technical partner that send out its officials to embarrass or harass unsuspecting car owners and visitors to the city in the name of vehicle particulars and tax collection.
The chairman, said his administration will not tolerate a situation where unapproved persons take over strategic streets and locations touting, jumping into people’s cars and dragging key with the owners, pretending to be working for AMAC.
He called on motorists and visitors to take anyone that jump into their car to any nearby police station or bring such individual to the council’s secretariat.
Maikalangu revealed that he had informed the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Command with other relevant security agencies on the need to stem the harressement being experienced by visitors and motorists, especially foreigners in the city.
“Most of the revenue agents are over stepping their boundaries in tax collection, henceforth legitimate officials of AMAC revenue agents are to only operate outside the city centre, Nyanya, University of Abuja and Kubwa express way.
“It is wrong for unknown persons to take over streets and strategic areas in the Federal Capital City harassing motorists, especially visitors coming into Abuja, in the name of vehicle particulars and tax collection.
“Street and house naming exercise should only be carried out in the suburbs, by legitimate officials of AMAC. Again, any technical partner found wanting will be disapproved.
“We are in talking terms with FCT Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to stem the menace.
“Once again, those involve in the illegal activities should desist from touting in the name of collecting revenue for AMAC”
