By Abuja, Nigeria
The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has issued an urgent notice to motorists and the general public, over who has the legal right to collect haulage fees within the AMAC vicinity, sparking a fresh jurisdictional row.
In a statement released this evening, the Council warned that unauthorized individuals wearing FCT-inscribed “Haulage” Red Tee-Shirts are illegally patrolling the streets, claiming to represent the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
Recall that the jurisdictional dispute over who has the right to collect the fees has been a long-standing constitutional debate between (AMAC) and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
However, (AMAC) officials have categorically stated that the FCT Administration lacks the constitutional mandate to collect haulage revenue.
“It is the constitutional right of the Area Council, not the FCT, to collect revenue on haulage,” the statement clarified.
“We are seeing a trend where persons claiming to represent DOAS are overstepping their bounds and infringing on the legal responsibilities of the local government.”
AMAC has officially disassociated itself from these individuals, labeling their activities as fraudulent and an attempt to divert revenue meant for local developmental projects. The Council therefore urged the public to remain vigilant and resistant to these demands.
This development follows years of tension between the six FCT Area Councils, where the Area Councils maintain that the 1999 Constitution explicitly grants local governments the power to collect specific levies, including haulage rates.
