Abuja Municipal Council Warns Motorists Against Paying Haulage Fees To Wike-led FCTA Agents With Branded ‘Red Shirts’
Abuja Municipal Council Warns Motorists Against Paying Haulage Fees To Wike-led FCTA Agents With Branded ‘Red Shirts’
In a statement, Kingsley Madaki, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to the AMAC Executive Chairman, warned that unauthorised individuals wearing FCT-branded “Haulage” red T-shirts are illegally patrolling streets and falsely claiming to act on behalf of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), headed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has issued an urgent “buyer beware” alert to motorists and the public, igniting a fresh dispute over who has the legal authority to collect haulage fees within the council’s jurisdiction.
In a statement, Kingsley Madaki, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to the AMAC Executive Chairman, warned that unauthorised individuals wearing FCT-branded “Haulage” red T-shirts are illegally patrolling streets and falsely claiming to act on behalf of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), headed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The Jurisdictional Dispute
At the heart of the matter is a long-standing constitutional question. AMAC officials insist that the FCTA does not have the legal mandate to collect haulage revenue within the council’s area.
”It is the constitutional right of the Area Council, not the FCT, to collect revenue on haulage,” the statement clarified.
“We are seeing a trend where persons claiming to represent FCTA transport secretariat are overstepping their bounds and infringing on the legal responsibilities of the local government.”
The statement added that according to reports received by the Council, these unauthorised collectors are frequently seen at key entry points to the city, targeting heavy-duty vehicles and commercial transporters.
By wearing official-looking red shirts, they give the false impression of federal authority, pressuring drivers into making immediate cash payments.
AMAC has formally disassociated itself from these individuals, describing their actions as fraudulent and a deliberate attempt to divert funds meant for essential local development projects.
To safeguard motorists and protect revenue, the Council has urged the public to remain vigilant and refuse to comply with these illegal demands.
“AMAC does not authorise ‘FCT Haulage’ red shirts for any form of revenue collection,” it said. “Motorists are advised to insist on official AMAC-branded demand notices and valid staff identification cards before making any payments.
“Any cases of forced collection, harassment, or intimidation should be reported immediately to the nearest law enforcement agency.”
This warning comes amid longstanding tensions between the six FCT Area Councils and the FCTA. The councils maintain that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria explicitly empowers local governments to collect certain levies, including haulage and tenement rates.
