Henceforth touts and thugs will no longer be allowed to collect haulage taxes in the nation’s capital as the Federal Capital Territory has banned the deployment of unapproved agents in tax collection within territory
This followed the unveiling of an improved Mobile Advertisement, FCT/State Haulage Permits for 2023 Financial Year, by the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage, DOAS.
The Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Adesola Olusade, while unveiling the permit in Abuja, noted that the FCTA would no longer tolerate acts of thuggery in the collection of taxes.
He explained that the initiative is set to harmonise haulage collation while tackling issues of double taxation and enhance the ease of doing business in the FCT.
While commending the leadership of Area Councils for resolving to synergise with DOAS to streamline the system, the Permanent said proliferation of collection authorities for mobile advertisement has led to serious loss of Internally Generated Revenue in the FCT.
Speaking on behalf of the chairmen of the six area councils, the chairman of Kwali Area Council, Hon. Danladi Chiya, disclosed that the councils have thrown their weight behind the new initiative as no meaningful development can be achieved without synergy.
Chiya, who is also the FCT Chairman of All Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, said though the area councils have the constitutional right to collect tax on outdoor advertisements, they have no issue with FCTA over the establishment and mandate of DOAS.
He however, stressed the need for more efforts toward bridging the gaps in the system, in order for all stakeholders to be at the same level.
Earlier in his welcome address, Director of DOAS, Baba-Gana Adam, said the initiative was because of the necessity for a centralised system for advertisements and haulage permits in the Territory.
Adam appealed to stakeholders that are bent on importing papers and making it difficult for business men to run their businesses in the FCT, to have a rethink.
“So, I’m appealing that all should come under one page with DOAS and the six Area Councils, so that business will be easy for businessmen especially the small and medium enterprises in the FCT”, he stressed.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman Master Bakers, Ishaq Abdullraheem, while commending the FCTA for addressing issues of multiple taxation in the FCT, noted that the advent of DOAS has helped streamline mobile adverts and haulage collection system in the FCT.
He said before now, it was easier to do business in neighbouring states where haulage collation is Harmonised.
