The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), via the FCT Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS), has come out to raise alarm over the increased rate of fake revenue collectors in the territory.
The Director, DOAS, Dr Baba-Gana Adam stated this while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, Adam warned residents especially big business owners to steer clear of fraudsters that feign to be officials of DOAS, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and FCT Internal Revenue Service, collecting tax.
He disclosed that the department recently arrested a fake revenue collectors’ kingpin, identified as Donald Umuogbo but after he had pleaded for forgiveness, and was released with his men a few months ago, they have resurfaced, warning if the impostors are left unchecked, it will jeopardize all the administration’s efforts to boost revenue generation in the FCT.
“Within the span of 24 hours yesterday, more than 10 business owners in the FCT called me to complain about harassment by the impostors within the city, which is against advert law.
“They established themselves as another agency within strategic places in AMAC and carry out a lot of sad events”
The director called on Abuja residents and big business owners to only pay their revenue to the genuine government-designated offices, not to touts on the roads.
“Any person that does business with unscrupulous elements in the name of paying revenue, does that at his or her risk.
“We have discovered extortions by touts masquerading as agents of the Federal Capital Territory and asked them to steer clear but they don’t want to steer clear. We won’t give up till the right thing is done”
Adam urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Federal Capital Territory Administration signage bill that will make DOAS full agency.
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