By Francis Ogwo
The proliferation of fake revenue officers in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has become a source of worry as officials have cautioned residents to verify personnels asking them to pay money before they pay anything.
The officials say many have parted with their hard earned money to swindlers disguised as revenue officers.
The Special Adviser to the AMAC chairman on ICT, Civil Society and Donor Agencies, Mrs. Abiodun Essiet while responding on a recent accusation by one Layla Ali-Othman, a restaurant owner, who alleged that her cafeteria was reportedly sealed by the AMAC revenue department.This was strongly denied by AMAC
Mrs. Abiodun said: “It is necessary for business owners in AMAC to verify the authenticity of persons asking them to pay one due or the other.”
“Anyone posing as a revenue officer must produce an identify card. People should also insist on taking the picture of the officer and send a message to us using our various social media platforms.”
“Immediately we get such messages, we will respond.They can also come to the council’s secretariat to get clarification on issues regarding tax payment,” she said.
Speaking further on the restaurant closure accusation, Mrs. Abiodun further added: “We have investigated the matter and found that it was the Department of Public Health from FCTA that went to her restaurant. It was not AMAC officials.
“It is good for business owners to know that not all dues are collected by AMAC,” she added.
Observers say the cases of impersonation of tax and revenue agencies in the nation’s capital has grown over the years with unsuspecting business owners parting with huge sums of money to fake officers.
