Revenue Impostors Invade Abuja, FCTA Urges Passage of Signage Bill

By: Wisdom Acka

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has expressed concerns over high number of fake revenue collectors in the Territory.

Director, FCT Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage, Dr. Baba-Gana Adam, who stated this, warned that if the impostors were left unchecked, the menace would jeopardize FCTA’s efforts at boosting revenue generation.

Making the disclosure during a media briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, Adam advised FCT residents, especially big business owners, to steer clear of fraudsters that claim to be officials of DOAS, Abuja Municipal Area Council and FCT-IRS, pose as tax collectors.

He also disclosed that the Department recently arrested a fake revenue collectors’ kingpin, identified as Donald Umuogbo but was released with his men few months ago on compassionate grounds have resurfaced.

“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 becoming worrisome,” he said.

His words: “They established themselves as another agency within strategic places in AMAC and carry out their nefarious activities”.

The DOAS boss called on residents and big business owners to only pay their revenue to official designated government offices, not to touts on the roads.

He warned: “Any person that does business with unscrupulous elements in the name of paying revenue, does that at his or her peril.”

“We have discovered touts masquerading as agents of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and asked them to steer clear but they are still roaming about the streets. We won’t give up till the right thing is done,” he added.

Adam, therefore, urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the bill for the establishment of DOAS as a full agency.