The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has asked an entrepreneur to pay N200,000 for “gaseous emission”.
The notice said the demand was in line with the law.
“This is to notify you of fee due to Abuja Municipal Area Council for Emission Levy in accordance with the provision of section 20 and fourth schedule to the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended) part VIII, Section 80 (1-4), 82 of the National Environmental Health Practice Regulation 2016, Taxes and Levies (approved list for collection),” AMAC wrote.
“This includes burning, air pollution and harmful disposal of waste into the air, open space, industries and warehouses from generators, heavy duty drilling, production and manufacturing equipment.”
Both sections of the laws cited mandate authorities to protect the environment without clearly stating how.
Business owners argue that the emission levy is unfair, given the erratic public power supply across the country.
Last year, AMAC pegged the gaseous emission permit at N100,000.
Ahmed Haruna, director of public health at AMAC, told TheCable at the time that the levy was negotiable.
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) said the levy was not in the public’s best interest and asked the council to suspend it.
Business owners now face a N200,000 emission levy — a notice seen by TheCable showed — a steep increase amid spiralling inflation.
Kingsley Madaki, AMAC spokesperson, did not confirm the increment when contacted by TheCable.
