As part of efforts to raise the bar of revenue collection in the Nigerian Federal capital territory Administration, FCTA, the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and the FCT Departments of Outdoors Advertisement and Signages have entered into agreements that would enable Outdoors Advertisement and Signages revenues collections to DOAS.
The agreement has finally resolved the lingering conflict on who has the legal rights or otherwise to collect advert revenue, signage permits including mobile, first party and third party advertisements and signage within the jurisdiction of AMAC in the FCT.
Speaking during a joint media briefing in Abuja Nigeria’s capital, Chairman of AMAC, Abdullahi Adamu Candido said with this agreement between the two parties, all issues surrounding the green area have been put to rest.
Candido directed that, henceforth all collections regarding Outdoors Advertisements and signage including Mobile, 1st Party and 3rd Party Advertisements be made to DOAS.
Candido said that though Section 7 and the fourth schedule of the 1999 Constitution vested the powers on local government areas or Area Councils as in the case of FCT, to collect advertisement permits, taxes and levies within its areas, the stakeholders resolved that in recognition of subsisting agreements and associated bye-laws, DOAS should henceforth carry out the function.
He added that the amicable settlement was in the interest of the general public and a bold step in the easing ways of doing business and doing things in common.
According to him, “as a responsive and responsible government, the council accepts that it is in the best interest of both parties and most especially the residents of AMAC in FCT to delegate this task to the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) in order to harmonise collections, avoid double taxation, improve the on the ease of doing business and ensure seemless tax collection in council.
“Whatever mitigations you think we have, we must not go beyond our reach, so we are not accused of contempt. But anything that is given in the course of law that two partners, who have come together means the case has been resolved,”.
In his remarks, the Director, Department of Outdoors Advertisement and Signages Dr Babagana Adam described the resolution as a giant stride, while adding that DOAS is now setting N3 billion as its revenue target from collection outdoor signage advertisement in 2021.
Dr Adam said the move is for the best interest of both parties and the good people of AMAC.
In his response, the Director of DOAS thank the management and staffs of AMAC for this understanding. stating that the act is a giant stride that must be applauded by AMAC.
“Therefore, DOAS can now hit the ground to pool the resources and provide services to the Good people of AMAC with respect to human and legal rights”,
Nnenna.O
