The Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Mr Christopher Maikalangu, has issued a stern warning to residents against colluding with fake revenue collectors to defraud the council.
Speaking at a world press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Maikalangu announced that the council had implemented measures to curb tax evasion. He emphasized the importance of timely payment of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the effective functioning of all levels of government.
“Governments at all levels work better when IGR is paid by citizens, especially when payments are made and collected without any hassles,” Maikalangu said. He warned that residents who conspire with fraudulent collectors would face legal consequences and urged them to pay their revenues and taxes into designated accounts.
“We invited you here for a press conference on revenue matters and to reawaken the consciousness of taxpayers within the council. As a responsible government, it is our duty to inform our residents that tax evasion is a serious offence and a crime that deprives the council of much-needed revenue that can be used to provide basic amenities and infrastructure in our communities,” he stated.
Maikalangu highlighted the council’s new stringent measures against tax evasion, noting the launch of a public awareness campaign. “For those that try to evade the taxes again, the council has no other option than to institute legal action on any defaulter who refuses to comply with this measure.”
Addressing the issue of tenement rates, Maikalangu advised residents who had not paid their bills since 2021 to do so to avoid legal repercussions. “I want to inform those that paid into a wrong account or to their accomplices, or paid cash, that it is assumed that they have not paid at all and will pay twice,” he warned.
He reiterated that the public should not pay cash to any technical partner or representative to avoid falling victim to illegal collectors. “I want to inform the revenue fraudsters that their days are numbered. The AMAC Revenue Task Force has been authorized to clamp down on their activities, apprehend, and prosecute them immediately at the nearest mobile court,” he said.
Maikalangu assured residents that the council remained committed to delivering on its campaign promises despite the current challenges.
