Following public outcry over the activities of illegal revenue collectors, the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Tuesday trained officials of the council on collection of revenue with decorum and respect for residents.
The over 100 trainees, comprising men and women of different grade levels, were drawn from the Mobile advert and Logistics Unit of AMAC.
Addressing participants at the training in Abuja, the director of Publicity and Enlightenment of G Learning Centre, Comrade Shehu Shugabe, said the training will go a long way in addressing the complaints of touts extorting AMAC residents.
He said: “This training will go a long way in putting to an end the numerous complaints against revenue collectors in AMAC. It is very common for touts and illegal revenue collectors to harass residents and extort money from them. Some go as far as jumping into vehicles and even losing plate numbers of vehicles in the name of collecting revenue.
“When confronted, they often claim to be officials of AMAC, whereas we don’t even know them. Therefore, we will use this training to ensure that officials operate with decorum. No AMAC official will jump into your car or lose your plate number in the name of collecting revenue. In fact, the officials will be treating commuters with respect.
“As the executive chairman of AMAC recently specified, the officials will be operating at different entry points in Abuja. They won’t be seen in the city center. Therefore, anyone who harasses you in the name of AMAC, especially in the city center, is a criminal.
“Furthermore, we want to work with the VIO to digitise revenue collection, with regards to company vehicles.”