AMAC Seals Homes Over Tenement Levies, Residents Cry Foul
In a development that has stirred tension across the Federal Capital Territory, officials of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) have begun sealing residential buildings over unpaid tenement rates and levies, leaving several residents locked out of their homes.
The enforcement exercise, which intensified this week, saw AMAC revenue officers moving around neighbourhoods with security operatives, marking and sealing properties belonging to defaulters.
The council insists the action is in line with its legal mandate to recover outstanding revenues and improve internally generated funds.
However, affected residents have decried the move, describing it as “harsh” and “insensitive,” especially amid the current economic hardship.
Some homeowners complained that they were not properly notified before their houses were locked, while others alleged multiple charges and lack of clarity over the levies.
An AMAC official who spoke off the record said the exercise was targeted at property owners who had ignored several reminders and demand notices.
He added that the council would only reopen sealed buildings after proof of payment is provided.
The tenement rate, a form of property tax used by local councils to fund basic amenities, has long been a source of contention in Abuja, with residents questioning its transparency and fairness.
As the enforcement continues, human rights groups are urging AMAC to adopt a more humane approach to tax recovery, ensuring residents are not rendered homeless in the process.
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