Reps wade into revenue impasse between AMAC, FCTA

The House of Representatives Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Wednesday, passed a vote of confidence on the administration of Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu as Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

Addressing journalists after a meeting with officials of AMAC, the Chairman of the Committee, Frederick Agbedi, who was represented by member representing Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, and Ukwuani Federal Constituency of Delta State, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, said it will look into issues raised by Maikalangu, especially concerns of revenue generation between AMAC and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

He said: โ€œThis visit is part of our oversight functions. I commend the chairman for being proactive and active to ensure AMAC residents enjoy dividends of democracy. In our interaction, the chairman highlighted his challenges with regards to revenue collection between AMAC and FCTA.

โ€œWeโ€™ll look into the issues raised by the AMAC Chairman. In the areas we need to make amendments, we will make amendments. Weโ€™re ready to support the chairman. Heโ€™s blessed with intellectual and knows what heโ€™s doing. So, weโ€™ll support him to achieve his objectives for the council.โ€

Also speaking, the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, said he particularly needs the assistance of the House of Representatives members to provide social amenities for AMAC residents, especially rural dwellers.

He said: โ€œI am glad that the committee visited today. They agreed to support my administration anywhere I want. I made them to understand that AMAC is one of the biggest area councils. Area 1, Asokoro, Wuse are not the only parts of AMAC. There are areas you will have to travel for 45 kilometers and itโ€™s still AMAC. There are places you cannot even go even with your vehicle, but itโ€™s still under AMAC.

โ€œWhen we talk about education, AMAC has so many communities that donโ€™t have schools and lacking healthcare. So, I need their support in all angles. We need roads and primary healthcare in some areas. It is not even in the city center.

โ€œMy boss, Barrister Nyesom Wike, is handling projects in the city center as the Minister of FCT, so I will have to emulate him and handle projects in rural areas. Heโ€™s doing his best in the heart of the city, while I am doing my best in rural areas.

โ€œSo, my prayer is that the honourable members can give me that maximum support and cooperation so that I can reach out to people down there at the rural areas. When people are happy, Iโ€™m happy. People should tell me where I am wrong so that I will improve.โ€