President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has intervened in the ongoing crackdown on defaulters of ground rent payment on landed properties in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Officials of the FCT Administration Monday commenced enforcement on the 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of Ground Rent, from 10 to 43 years.
Both properties owned by government institutions, corporate organisations and individuals were affected.
However, by the President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties have 14 days (two weeks) to settle the outstanding their Ground Rents, with associated penalties.
Briefing newsmen on the development, Director, FCT Department of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze said for properties in the Central Area, N5 million will be paid by the defaulters as penalty in addition to the Ground Rent owed.
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He added that for those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape Districts will pay N3 million as penalty while defaulters in Wuse I, Garki I and Garki II will pay N2 million as penalty, all in addition to the Ground Rent owed.
According to him, 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 (two weeks) to do so at the FCT Department of Land Administration.
Furthermore, Nwankwoeze revealed that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has granted a 14 days (two weeks) grace period to all property holders in the FCT to pay up their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O)/Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills or risk revocation of those titles.
“Going forward, the Minister has advised property owners in the FCT to ensure that they pay all necessary bills and charges on their properties as at and when due, so as to enable the government to continue to carry out necessary developmental projects for the benefit of the people,” he stated.