Tag: FCTA

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reacted to a recent social media video circulating on Tik Tok which purportedly shows the demolition of a plaza located on Lobito Crescent, Wuse II, in Abuja.

The development FCTA says it is a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation and create unnecessary panic among residents.

The video which is being passed as a recent development was recorded two years ago in 2021 and the building featured was not demolished.

A statement issued by the director press, office of the minister of Federal Capital Territory, Anthony Ogunleye, said: “The FCTA wishes to clarify that, instead of demolition, the Department of Development Control identified an infraction related to the building’s use. Subsequently, appropriate measures were taken to address the issue responsibly.

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“Contrary to the claims made in the video, the building was not brought down.  Rather, the contravening portion was removed to ensure compliance with regulations.

 “To provide further clarity, we have attached a current photo of the building taken today, clearly demonstrating that it remains standing. The FCTA takes great care in enforcing regulations while ensuring the well-being and safety of our residents.

 “We strongly condemn the deliberate spread of false information, as it undermines the trust and security in our communities. Even more distressing is the ethnic colouration attached to the offending videos. The mischief of this nature is counterproductive and only serves to create unnecessary fear and disaffection.

“The FCTA urges the promoters of such misinformation to desist from these actions, as they contribute nothing positive to the society.

“We assure residents that the FCTA remains committed to transparent communication and responsible governance. We encourage the public to verify information from reliable sources before spreading it further.”

Allottees owing ground rent in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) now have up till December 14 to pay following the extension of the deadline for payment by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

The extension of time followed the expiration of the deadline earlier given by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

FCTA expects to rake in over N30 billion from the grant rent payment.

“The administration is expecting over N30 billion from the grant rent payment”, the FCTA Director of Information, Muhammad Hazat Sule, told this reporter yesterday.

Wike had earlier given a final warning to defaulters of ground rent payments in the FCT, insisting that something would happen.

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The minister had said: “something will surely happen, contrary to the erroneous assumption that the ground rent directive was an empty threat”.

In September, the FCTA published land titles of individuals, organisations, and agencies owing ground rent.

In the publication, the FCTA reminded allottees of lands within FCT of their obligations as stipulated in the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to pay in advance without demand from January 1 of each year.

The FCTA had warned that a breach or failure to comply with any or all of the terms stated in the Rights of Occupancy shall be liable to the revocation of the title.

Accordingly, additional time graciously approved and granted by the minister of the Federal Capital Territory after the expiration of the final notice is the 14th of December 2023.

The minister, according to Sule restated: “The FCTA wishes to remind the general public of the final notice given for settlement of outstanding ground rents and to note that the grace period has elapsed, thus paving way for enforcement of attendant sanctions.”

“In consideration of the sustained response from affected allottees and in order not to disenfranchise those who are still on queue for collection of ground rent bill and are eager to pay, the minster, FCT has graciously approved that additional time be granted from the expiration of the final notice to 14th of December, 2023.”

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved additional time for the payment of Ground Rent to enable the affected allottees who are still queueing up to beat the dateline and eager to pay to do so.

This is as the grace period for the final notice given for settlement of outstanding ground rents in the Federal Capital Territory elapsed.

FCTA is expecting over N30 billion from the grant rent payment.

FCTA Director of Information, Muhammad Hazat Sule who spoke with our correspondent on the development said: “the administration is expecting over N30 billion from the grant rent payment”.

Recalled that Wike, few weeks back gave a final warning to defaulters of ground rent payments in the FCT, insisting that something would happen.

The minister said: “Something will surely happen, contrary to the erroneous assumption that the ground rent directive was an empty threat”.

The FCT Administration in September published land titles of individuals, organisations, and agencies owing ground rent.

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In the publication, the FCTA reminded allottees of lands within FCT of their obligations as stipulated in the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to pay in advance without demand from January 1 of each year.

The FCTA had warned that a breach or failure to comply with any or all of the terms stated in the Rights of Occupancy shall be liable to the revocation of the title.

Accordingly, additional time graciously approved and granted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory after the expiration of the final notice is the 14th of December 2023.

The Minister, according to Sule restated: “The FCT Administration wishes to remind the general public of the final notice given for settlement of outstanding ground rents and to note that the grace period has elapsed, thus paving way for enforcement of attendant sanctions.”

Wike added: “In consideration of the sustained response from affected allottees and in order not to disenfranchise those who are still on queue for collection of ground rent bill and are eager to pay, the Honourable Minster, FCT has graciously approved that additional time be granted from the expiration of the final notice to 14th of December 2023.

• Okays civil service commission for capital territory
• Why I accepted to work with president, by Wike

The Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory now has a new deal from the Presidency to change the way the territory was hitherto run.

Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, announced yesterday that President Bola Tinubu had given approval for the pulling out of the  Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) from the  Treasury Single Account (TSA).

This is to allow the ministry utilize its  Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the development of the nation’s capital. 

Wike, who briefed reporters on the new deal ,said he was able to convince the president that “if you want FCT to really carry out its developmental projects and infrastructure, then it must come out of TSA.”

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He said: “We (FCT Administration) are not a revenue generating agency of the federal government, then what financial linkages are you blocking?

 “The revenue comes in, and it will go to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).We need money to do projects; I can’t go to the Central Bank to ask for money, and I can’t go to the commercial banks; they will ask how do you pay back?

 “So, I said we must be pulled out of TSA, that’s the only way, we can survive it.

 “Mr. President graciously agreed with us and approved that we should be pulled out from the Single Treasury Account.

“You will see that from next year it will be project upon project in FCT. And what you saw in Port Harcourt, Abuja would be something else. So for us, it is one of our  happiest days, and we have to thank Mr. President for foresight.

“People will kick against it, but it is not personal, it is about the growth of the city, welfare of the civil servants  and the interest of the women – our mothers, sisters and wives”.

 Wike noted that the development was the real essence of the renewed hope agenda of the Tinubu Administration.

Continuing, he said: “One of the reasons that I accepted to work with Mr. President is because he has the capacity and  political will to do those things that people are afraid of doing.

“The problem of this country is leadership, so many people don’t want to take actions as they believe that some people will be angry.

 “There is no action you take that everybody will be  happy with. But what is important is that you are guided by law and  your conscience”.

 On the FCT Civil Service Commission,Wike said the National Assembly had in 2018 passed a bill  to that effect which was subsequently assented to by the then acting President Yemi Osibanjo but he said nobody wanted to implement it for different reasons.

He explained that while some were afraid of what others would say, others felt the development would reduce their power and influence.

 The minister said that he was not aware of the existence of the law until recently.

 “So, I wrote a Memo to Mr President. I say, you have a renewed hope agenda; civil servants in FCT are suffering; they have lost hope.

“They are not committed to work. Why should I be working because at the end of the day, I can’t get to the apex of my career? As such, we must implement that 2018 law as passed by the National Assembly. If there are challenges, of course there is no law that is perfect. You can only know the challenges when you start implementing.

 “So, let’s implement, whatever the challenges are, then, we can begin to talk of how we can amend it.

“I can tell you authoritatively that Mr President has given the approval for the establishment of Civil Service Commission for the FCTA,” he said.

Wike explained that with this development, civil servants will go beyond directors to become Permanent Secretaries, adding, “that is the essence of the renewed hope agenda.”

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Tuesday, October 10, warned staff against lateness, indolence and mediocrity.

FCTA said it won’t relent in recognizing and rewarding deserving staff who push the boundaries to ensure excellent service delivery.

This was as the Administration said it was in the process of digitizing its operations, urging staff to begin to embrace digital skills in order to fit into its future.

The permanent secretary in the FCT Administration, Olusade Adesola gave the charge at a one-day TED talk and induction of nodal and focal officers of Servicom as well as the flag-off of the 4-day 2023 Customer Service Week.

Represented by the Director ICT in the Administration, Augustine Ugafor, the Permanent Secretary said the Servicom officers in the Administration are its eyes who monitor the activities of all Secretariats Departments and Agencies SDAs to ensure that they deliver on their mandates and make them accountable to FCT residents.

He said: “The Head of Service has mandated all MDAs to digitize their operations by the end of December 2025. On our part, we are in the process of doing that and very soon you will start seeing the effects and anybody who doesn’t have such skills would find it difficult to operate.

“In conjunction with your director, we will organize a special training for you soon so that you can handle what is coming.

“The FCTA is poised to ensure that quality services are delivered to all Nigerians and foreigners who reside in the FCT and in one way or the other interact with our various SDAs. This is possible if we all embrace due diligence in the discharge of our duties.

“We won’t relent in recognizing and rewarding deserving staff who push the boundaries to ensure excellent service delivery.

“However, lateness to work, indolence, mediocrity, and delay in acting on official matters can no longer be tolerated and therefore, everyone is enjoined to sit up.”

FCT Servicom Director and Nodal Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Kayode cautioned staff against working in isolation, stressing the theme of the Customer Service Week, ‘Team Service’.

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She said: “We stand to achieve more when we work as a team as opposed to when we work alone. Teamwork is so important at this point, with our new president talking about renewed hope. It will need the collaboration of each of us for us to move ahead as a nation.

“The purpose of this event is to allow our nodal and focal officers the opportunity to be inducted as Servicom officers in all our various SDAs in order to have efficient service delivery.

“The ministerial Servicom unit has organized a 4-day enlightenment rally to commemorate the customer service week which commences today. It will create awareness of the importance of teamwork in providing effective and efficient service delivery in all government organizations. It will spur our enthusiasm towards greater commitment to service to the people.”

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Director of conditional Cash Transfer, Olubunmi Olowookere; the Director of reform coordination and Service Improvement, Jumai Ahmadu, and a representative of the Education Secretary, Magdalene Uzoanya.

There is a clear signal that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is prepared to take strict action against individuals found tampering with the previously revoked land, as authorized by the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.

This indication became evident when officials from the Development Control Department of FCTA, headed by Director Muktar Galadima, foiled an attempt by the owners of the revoked land in Maitama District to proceed with development on the sites, despite the revocation order in place.

The team accompanied by some security agents confiscated building equipment found on the sites and chased away some workers while others were arrested majorly for profiling.

It would be recalled that the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike had revoked no fewer than 165 plots of land in the service Districts of the Federal Capital City over non-development.

The revocation order placed on the affected plots according to the minister was due to the continuous contravention of the terms of agreements as contained in section 28(5) (a) & (b) of the Land Use Act.

While responding to questions from reporters during the operation, the Director of the Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima disclosed that information reached his office that some owners of already revoked land are moving back to sites which according to him is in violation of the order.

According to him: “Recently, FCTA has revoked some plots for non-development and also sent his last warning on abandoned buildings since December 2022, so, it is unfortunate that those revoked properties, some people are trying to come back and work on them, particularly on weekend.

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“So, we are on this operation to ensure that all the revoked plots, nobody goes back and works on them and also to use this opportunity to call on the public that any revoked properties that somebody is trying to work on, definitely the Administration will not only remove such structures but will ensure prosecution of the person involved.

“The revocation just commenced last week and then we just got information that some people wanted to go back to sites, and we have already intimated our officials to be on watch out to make sure that nobody goes back to work because any officials found wanting will be severely dealt with in accordance with the laid down civil service rules and regulations.”

Concerning information that some of the affected property owners may have gone to the Court to seek redress, he said: “I am not aware of anything like that if at all some have gone to the Court as you said, then I will live it to the Court to decide, but for now I am not aware of such, and even, the decision of court have to be communicated to the Administration for it to study it and decide if there is any need to review it or not.”

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