News
Abuja Businesses Hit by ‘Multiple Levies’ Amid FCTA–AMAC Regulatory Dispute
Cyril Ogar
A fresh controversy has erupted in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN) has accused authorities of regulatory overreach, multiple taxation, and questionable contracting in the administration of environmental health services within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
The group, speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, described the situation as a “deepening institutional crisis” between the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and AMAC, warning that it could have far-reaching implications for residents and businesses.
Addressing journalists, GICN President, Edward Omaga, alleged that what began as an administrative overlap has escalated into a full-blown legal dispute over jurisdiction and regulatory authority.
Omaga argued that under the 1999 Constitution, local governments such as AMAC are empowered to regulate environmental sanitation and collect related levies.
He, however, accused the FCTA—through its Public Health Department and in collaboration with a private firm, Nabuyar Environmental Consultants Nigeria Ltd—of imposing parallel compliance requirements on businesses.According to him, the development has resulted in duplicate financial obligations for operators within the council area.
To illustrate the burden, Omaga cited the case of an affiliate organisation, Graylaw Practice Limited Partnership, which reportedly paid ₦50,000 to AMAC and obtained a certificate of fitness for 2025, only to receive an additional demand notice of ₦250,000 from the private consultant.
He described the demand as “regulatory oppression” and called for its immediate suspension.
The group also questioned the legitimacy of Nabuyar Environmental Consultants, alleging that records at the Corporate Affairs Commission indicate the company is inactive.
It further claimed that the individual representing the firm, Dr. Obinatu Remigius, is neither a director nor shareholder.
Omaga disclosed that the organisation has submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Bureau of Public Procurement to verify whether due process was followed in awarding the consultancy contract.
He added that the dispute has already led to multiple prosecutions at Magistrate Courts in Abuja, which the group described as coercive and premature, given what it called unresolved jurisdictional ambiguities between AMAC and the FCTA.
The GICN also referenced a March 2026 court ruling, noting that it has further complicated claims of exclusive regulatory authority by the FCTA.
Calling for urgent intervention, the group appealed to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to convene all relevant stakeholders to resolve the impasse. It also urged the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria to clearly define the agency responsible for environmental regulation within AMAC.
In addition, the organisation demanded the suspension of ongoing prosecutions and called on the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the activities of the private consultant.
Omaga warned that failure to address the issue could trigger protests, citing recent demonstrations by private school operators in Abuja over similar concerns.
He said the group was prepared to stage peaceful protests at key public institutions, including the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Environment, to demand accountability and transparency.
The organisation also cautioned against the use of laws such as the Cybercrimes Act to suppress dissent.
“As civil society actors, we will not be intimidated. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we must ensure fairness, legality, and justice in governance,” Omaga said.
The dispute underscores growing tensions over regulatory authority in the FCT, raising concerns about its potential impact on business operations and public confidence in government institutions.
News
PWA demands forensic audit of pipeline surveillance contract , says current contract monopolistic, violation of PIA
Cyril Ogar
A leading advocacy group in Nigeria under the aegis of People’s Wellbeing Association (PWA) has said that the current pipeline surveillance contract is a gross violation of the Petroleum Industrial Act (PIA), calling for a forensic audit of the contract from inception.
It should be recalled that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) awarded the pipeline surveillance contract to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, led by Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), in August/September 2022.
The contract, valued at approximately ₦48 billion annually, aimed to curb oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The PWA’s Head of Communication Unit, Comrade Abba Abubakar said this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
Abubakar who called for equitable distribution of the contract to host communities, said the present structure of the pipeline surveillance contract remained skewed, benefitting a few other than the major stakeholders.
“The current pipeline surveillance contract is a violation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) with regards to the effective participation of host communities in protecting oil facilities located in their domain.
“The present arrangement where the pipeline security was entrusted in the hands of a few companies violates section 257 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which states that host communities must be directly involved in protecting oil facilities located in their ancestral lands,” he said.
Abubakar who reiterated calls for forensic audit of the contract, said Pipeline protection should involve indigenous stakeholders from the ethnic nations and communities where these facilities are located.
According to him, the present structure reflects an unhealthy concentration of opportunity and influence, leaving many oil-producing ethnic nations with little or no meaningful participation.
He said that the monopolistic arrangement of the pipeline security framework has instead created rancour, resentment thereby undermining unity in the Niger Delta region.
Abubakar vehemently condemned the contract of exclusion, saying that any system that excludes many of the host communities from pipeline protection undermines fairness and regional stability.
The PWA Communication Unit Head regretted that the federal government made a huge financial commitment in the area of pipeline surveillance over the years, yet the nation’s crude output is minimal compared to what it used to be.
Abubakar however called for a forensic audit of the ₦4 billion monthly pipeline surveillance contract, due to brazen instances of economic exclusion and calls for better regional distribution.
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