AMAC Issues Urgent Warning Over Unauthorized “Haulage” Fee Collectors Amid Jurisdiction Row

The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has issued a sharp warning to motorists and commercial transporters after reports surfaced of individuals patrolling the city, claiming to collect haulage fees under the guise of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) authority. The Council described the activities as illegal, sparking renewed debate over who holds the constitutional mandate to collect haulage revenue within AMAC.

“Buyer Beware” Alert

In a strongly worded statement released today, AMAC cautioned the public against yielding to demands from persons wearing FCT-branded red “Haulage” T-shirts. According to the statement, these individuals are not authorised by the Council and are operating outside the law.

“It is the constitutional right of the Area Council, not the FCT, to collect revenue on haulage,” AMAC officials stated. “We are seeing a trend where persons claiming to represent DOAS are overstepping their bounds and infringing on the legal responsibilities of the local government.”

The Council further urged motorists to remain vigilant, requesting that all haulage payments be verified through official AMAC-branded demand notices and proper staff identification cards. Any incidents of harassment or forced collection should be immediately reported to law enforcement agencies.

The Jurisdictional Dispute

This latest advisory highlights a deeper constitutional and administrative dispute. The six Area Councils of the FCT have long maintained that the 1999 Constitution explicitly empowers local governments to collect specific levies, including haulage fees and tenement rates. AMAC claims that attempts by other entities, purportedly under FCTA authority, to collect haulage revenue are not only unlawful but also divert funds intended for local development projects.

Reports suggest that the unauthorised collectors are targeting heavy-duty vehicles at key entry points into Abuja, using the appearance of federal authority to intimidate drivers into making immediate cash payments.

Public Reaction and Next Steps

While AMAC has acted decisively by issuing the notice, the FCTA has yet to provide a public response to these allegations. The ongoing tension between local and federal authorities underscores the need for clarity regarding revenue collection and the enforcement of constitutional provisions.

For commercial transporters and motorists, the message from AMAC is clear: only payments made to legitimate Council officials with proper identification are valid. Any interaction with unverified collectors could constitute fraud, and the Council has pledged to support law enforcement in taking action against offenders.

The development serves as a stark reminder of the complex interplay between constitutional authority and on-the-ground enforcement in Nigeria’s capital city, where disputes over revenue collection continue to generate both confusion and concern among residents.

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