FCT ground rent: Wike demands list of defaulters for immediate sanction

Following their refusal to pay ground rent, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has demanded for the list of defaulters.

Wike is likely to sanction defaulters with the sealing of their properties.

Earlier in the year, FCTA had began sealing up some properties owing ground rent.

But the outcry from residents led to President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.

Tinubu had urged the Minister to give defaulters two weeks period which has since elapsed.

On June 2, FCT Administration published a demand notice for the payment of ground rent due from 2014 to 2024.

However, speaking in Abuja during the inauguration of a committee on the abuse of land use act in the FCT, Wike demanded for the list of defaulters.

Wike warned that the two weeks had long elapsed into months, stressing that it’s time for enforcement.

“We have allowed so much time. Initially we gave two weeks; it has passed one month, two months, three months.

“You know how Nigerians are, if you don’t take steps nothing will happen.

“So, all those owing, from the ones we have published up to 2025, you have to provide the list so that we commence immediate implementation.

“This will enable us to receive the needed funds that will aid us in the development of infrastructure in the FCT,” he said.

Wike also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has assented the FCT 2025 budget.

The Minister noted that he can’t embark on projects that would positively affect FCT residents without funds.

“So, please, Directors of Land, Abuja Geographic Information System, Development Control, Urban and Regional Planning, you need to work tirelessly to make sure that this is achieved,” Wike said.

FCT ground rent: Wike demands list of defaulters for immediate sanction