By Remi Johnson
In a compassionate and strategic intervention, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has halted the reclamation of properties by the FCTA over ground rent, offering defaulters another window of 14-day grace period to pay up.
This directive comes following an outcry from the public over the FCTA’s commencement of reclamation of some notable properties yesterday in Abuja.
The affected properties, which span ownership by individuals, corporate entities, and even government institutions, signal the FCTA’s resolve to act without fear or favour, irrespective of sentiments that the enforcement was politically motivated.
The properties earlier reclaimed by the FCTA as at yesterday include the FIRS building, Total Energy House, PDP Secretariat, the popular Ibro Hotel and Acesss Bank building.
Briefing journalists on the latest development, the Director of the FCT Department of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, said with President Tinubu’s intervention, Owners of properties in the Central Area, that defaulted will pay a penalty of N5 million in addition to the Ground Rent owed.
The Director added that those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape Districts will pay N3 million as a penalty, while defaulters in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II will pay N2 million, all in addition to the Ground Rent owed.
According to Nwankwoeze, all those who purchased properties from other people but are yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment now have 14 days to do so.
Furthermore, Nwankwoeze revealed that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has granted a 14-day ultimatum to all property holders in the FCT to pay their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O)/Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills or risk revocation of those titles.
“Going forward,” he said, “the Minister has advised property owners in the FCT to ensure that they pay all necessary bills and charges on their properties as and when due, to enable the government to continue carrying out necessary developmental projects for the benefit of the people.”