FCTA Launches Sensitization Program in Abuja for Revenue Collection
THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ADMINISTRATION (FCTA) HAS LAUNCHED A SENSITIZATION PROGRAM FOR STAKEHOLDERS IN THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR IN ABUJA TO REGISTER THEIR OUTFITS AND LEGALIZE THEIR OPERATIONS FOR MILD PAYMENTS. THE MOVE IS AIMED AT TIDYING UP GRAY AREAS AND BOOSTING A REVENUE COLLECTION FOR THE FCTA.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is educating stakeholders in the hospitality sector in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, about the registration of hospitality outfits and the legal act of granting rights to hospitality businesses to operate in the geographical space in exchange for mild payments. The FCT Mandate Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, Dr. Hadiza Mohammed Kabir, informed the media of this during a sensitization exercise on Thursday.
The FCT has not collected any money from hotel registration since 2013 when the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) was in charge of such collections. Since the Supreme Court judgment of 19th July 2013 devolved these powers on the State of the Federation and FCT, the FCT would now take over from the NTDC. The FCTA needs to tidy up gray areas such as multiple taxation, contravention of the land use act, and emerging trends for the success of the project and benefit all stakeholders.
Lady Marie Ochonue, the Director of the Tourism Department, SDS, stated that all the 3,500 hotels operating in the FCT were not registered. To harmonize the operation and activities of hotels in the FCT, the FCTA wants to start immediate registration of all hotels in the area and will ask for the arrears depending on the outcome of an interactive forum that hotel operators requested they have with them.
The President of the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, appealed to the Social Development Secretariat to deepen consultation and interface with tourism stakeholders in the territory to find a common ground for moving the business forward and ensure that the FCT remains the best for them.
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