AMAC bars residents from paying environmental fees to FCTA

A fresh crisis is brewing between the FCT Administration (FCTA) and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) over the collection of environmental health certification fees. Late Monday evening, AMAC barred residents and businesses from paying such fees to the FCTA. This development came even as many parts of the city struggled with mounting refuse dumps. Abuja […]

A fresh crisis is brewing between the FCT Administration (FCTA) and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) over the collection of environmental health certification fees.

Late Monday evening, AMAC barred residents and businesses from paying such fees to the FCTA.

This development came even as many parts of the city struggled with mounting refuse dumps.

Abuja Metro reports that there has been a long-standing feud between the two tiers of government over tax collection. Despite several reconciliation and harmonisation efforts, a lasting resolution remains elusive.

While an agreement was reportedly reached regarding tax collection in the city centre, the crisis resurfaced less than a week later.

AMAC declared that any payments for environmental health services made to the FCTA or other unauthorised bodies were invalid.

Mr. Kingsley Madaki, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to the Executive Chairman of AMAC, announced this in a statement.

By the development, the council is asserting its exclusive legal right to collect these revenues from residents and businesses.

AMAC explained that the directive was rooted in the 4th Schedule of the 1999 Constitution which vested the regulation of social and environmental services in local government authorities.

AMAC stressed that it retained the sole authority to manage and collect revenue for specific environmental activities which included sanitary inspection for facility fitness, pest control services like fumigation, food and water safety protocols and medical screenings for handlers.

Additionally, it said the council oversaw permits for car wash shops, laundries and public conveniences.

The council said it raised the alarm over reports of impostors posing as FCTA agents to divert local government revenue.

Madaki said, “In response, the newly formed AMAC Environmental Cadet officials are launching comprehensive enforcement sweeps to eliminate these fraudulent activities.

‘’To stay protected, business owners are urged to verify the credentials of any inspector and immediately report individuals soliciting cash.

“The council stresses that all legitimate payments must be processed exclusively through authorised AMAC revenue accounts to ensure legal compliance.”

He added that to combat fraud, AMAC had implemented a single account policy and emphasised that payments must be made into the council’s designated bank accounts.

He further said, “Any payments made to the FCTA Public Health Department or any other organisation shall be rendered invalid. Such payments will not be recognised as proof of compliance and the payer shall be liable for default.”

AMAC also warned that anyone paying unauthorised agents would do so at their own risk and would still be held liable for non-compliance under AMAC’s bylaws.

There was no reaction from the FCT Public Health Department as officials refused to comment on the issue.