The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) locked certain buildings in Abuja that house the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Character Commission, and other government ministries on Tuesday.
According to Anaedoonline.ng, the buildings were shut because the residents failed to pay N10 billion for waste management and other environmental services.
The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) supplied the services, but the recipients refused to pay, causing the FCTA to intervene.
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During the sealing procedure on Tuesday, the Director of the AEPB, Mr Osilama Briamah, informed journalists of this.
He explained that the board had tried to negotiate and discuss with the defaulters but did not get any positive response hence the need to take a drastic step.
Briamah added that they obtained the necessary court papers to carry out the exercise.
“We try to negotiate to have a better way to achieve results but there was no positive response, we have given them payment plan but many of them refused to take this opportunity serious.
“The board then resorts to legal means to recover the debts. The board obtained court orders to seal the premises.
“The exercise which has just begun will cover all public and private offices owing the board,’’ he said.
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The breakdown of the debts showed that Federal Ministry of Education owed N25,838,275, Federal Ministry of Defense –N17,220,775.00 and Federal Character Commission, N10,128,906.25.
Others include Civil Service Commission-N2,451,649.50, Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission, N21,683,750.00, Federal Ministry of Health N14,204,843.75.
Also owing are; Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, N19,222,287.50, Federal Ministry of Works, N9,998,625.00 and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps Wuse,N16,583,031.25.
Speaking more on why they needed to adopt the drastic measure, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister, Mr. Ikharo Attah said the FCT administration needed funds to run meaningful projects and one way to go about it is to recover debts owed the board.
He added that it is wrong for people to refuse to pay for services rendered and enjoyed.
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“FCT Administration needs enough fund to build infrastructure and keep the city running. The administration has decided to go after the Ministries, Parastatal Agencies, and Private individuals.
“We cannot wait to see government money tie down, it is wrong for people not to pay for services rendered,” he said.
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