The FCT Administration has sealed the Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Character Commission and Merit House Maitama over N10 billion waste collection debt owed Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).

Addressing newsmen during the exercise on Tuesday, the Director of AEPB, Mr. Osilama Briamah, said the board provided waste management and other environmental services for their service providers and they refused to pay.

He explained that the board had huge amount laying without response from the defaulters.

“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 resort 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.

A senior magistrate court sitting in Wuse II, Abuja had served the defendants with summons to appear before the court on March 30, but they failed to honour the court.

The breakdown of the debts showed that Federal Ministry of Education owed N25,838,275, Federal Ministry of Defence –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 and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps Wuse, N16,583,031.25.

Speaking, Mr. Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister, said the operation followed the initiative put together by the FCT Minister and the FCTA Permanent Secretary to recover debts owed the board.

N10bn debt: FCTA to seal up govt offices, hotels

Attah stated that the FCT Administration was worried about the huge amount being owed FCTA.

“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.

The AEPB had said the exercise may lock down some government offices, hotels, Plazas and other business premises due to debts owed the board.

The Star