Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has pledged the commitment of the FCT Administration to end the harassment of motorists by touts posing as revenue collectors.
Why It Matters
Motorists in the FCT have been subjected to harassment by individuals claiming to be part of a ministerial task force or revenue collectors. These touts often force their way into vehicles and remove car keys under the pretense of enforcing parking regulations or collecting revenue.
This practice not only disrupts the lives of motorists but also undermines the credibility and authority of legitimate revenue collection efforts.
What they are saying
During a ministerial sectoral briefing on President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s performance over the past year, Mr. Wike addressed this issue directly. He acknowledged that while city life can drive individuals to extreme measures to survive, it remains the responsibility of the FCT Administration to eliminate such unlawful activities.
Mr. Wike announced that the FCT Administration had reached an agreement with area council chairs to empower the FCT Internal Revenue Service to handle all revenue collections.
This centralization aims to create a more orderly and transparent system. The collected revenue will then be distributed to the area councils, which are entitled to 10% of the FCT’s internally generated revenue (IGR).
The minister emphasized that this approach is crucial for reducing touting, harassment, and double taxation, thereby restoring decency in revenue collection within the territory.
Bottom Line
The FCT Administration’s commitment to ending motorist harassment by touts is a significant step towards improving the quality of life and ensuring lawful revenue collection in Abuja. By centralizing revenue collection and distributing shares to the area councils, the administration aims to curb illegal activities and foster a more orderly environment for residents and motorists alike.
