How DOAS lost N18bn in 6 yrs- FCTA Director

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) has revealed that the agency lost 18 billion naira in six years from clients and business owners involved in outdoor advertisement and signage activities.
The Director, DOAS of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Babagana Adam made this known in an interview with newsmen immediately after a meeting with the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Chairman on how to synergize to stop the leakages by centralizing and controlling signage activities in Abuja.
According to him, “ We have lost about 3 billion naira each year and when you multiply it times six years its 18 billion naira have been lost.
“Imagine how many schools, roads, poutry farms, live stock farms and ICT centres, that would have been built with this money. So we have lost quite alot of money.
“With this new development now, I don’t want to look at what we are lossing, I will rather love that we strategize and synergize to put a stop to the money leakages.”
Earlier, AMAC Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido said the collaboration is overdue by the two organs of the government FCTA and AMAC, in order to use the available resources to provide services to the people.
Candido said: “In the last three years , it has not been too good, because we all lost out, the reasons why we must collaborate and have a new begining to cement the relationship. we must harmonized to stop double payment by the clients.”
He also noted that, the constitution guarantees local government to operate, “if you don’t have the capacity, you contract it out have collect your share so that services can be provided .
“But where Area Councils are undermined are areas that we are frowning at, that we are working together now , I believe it will be understood.”
The AMAC boss therefore reiterated the resolve of the council to support DOAS to achieve its objective.