Residents under one coalition wey dem dey call Concerned Citizens of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) don cry out say serious embezzlement dey happen inside Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

For one press conference wey happen yesterday for Abuja, the group beg the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, make e quickly investigate wetin dem describe as “systematic stealing of public revenue,” and make anybody wey dey involved face punishment.

But AMAC no waste time reply. The council leadership sharply deny all the allegations, call am “inflammatory, false and without evidence.”

 

Kingsley Madaki, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the AMAC Chairman, talk on behalf of the council say the whole gist “na misunderstanding and no get truth inside.”

The group say the wahala dey inside AMAC Signpost Advert Revenue Unit, wey dem claim dey act like unauthorised partner. According to them, the unit dey collect money daily from signpost adverts but no dey remit am to the council.

Dem estimate say this revenue leakage dey cost the FCT like ₦3 billion every year.

The convener, Dr. Joel Dipo, say the group do their own investigation and don even carry the matter go Court of Appeal on behalf of “concerned taxpayers.”

 

According to am:

 

“Fraud dey happen for FCT advertising sector. About ₦3 billion revenue dey miss every year. Miscreants dey collect the money and share am.”

 

Dipo also talk say DOAS—Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage—na the body wey suppose legally collect the money. But he accuse AMAC of blocking DOAS so that the alleged fraud fit continue.

 

He no stop there. The group call name join the matter, mention one Mr. Donald Amagbo and other AMAC officials as key people for the alleged scheme.

 

Dipo claim say:

• The money wey dem dey collect dey enter private pockets.

• E no dey used for development like road construction.

• Some officials dey allegedly use the funds to buy perfumes, cars and clothes.

• The AMAC chairman “no dey do anything.”

 

He add say if the Minister fit look well into advert revenue, the FCTA fit dey make up to ₦5 billion every year from adverts alone.

AMAC counter the allegations immediately.

Kingsley Madaki insist say:

• AMAC no dey collect billions secretly.

• The Signpost Advert Revenue Unit no dey siphon any money.

• The claim say council dey undermine DOAS “na pure fabrication.”

 

Madaki explain say AMAC and DOAS get revenue-sharing arrangement for “harmonisation purposes,” and no be secret deal like the group talk.

 

The council also rubbish the ₦3 billion loss claim, say the figures no get any proof and na exaggeration wey fit mislead the public.

 

AMAC add say under the leadership of Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, the council dey operate transparently and dey focus on community development.

 

Dem urge the public make dem shine eye and no allow the allegations distract from the council work.