FCT Ground Rent: Wike Gives Final Warning To Defaulters

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has given a final warning to defaulters of ground rent payments in the FCT, insisting that something would happen soon to them. Wike gave the warning when the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its President, Dr Chris Isiguzo visited him in Abuja. The minister said that “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. 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 Jan. 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. The administration, therefore, advised all allottees, property owners, and beneficiaries of the sale of Federal Government Houses in the FCT to settle their outstanding ground rents or lose their titles. Wike assured the defaulters that he would match his words with action at the end of the grace period by revoking such plots. “The law has been there before I came. The only problem is applying the law. The Minister of State and I have the capacity and political will to do what is right. “You know Nigerians are funny, believing that nothing will happen. Something will happen. We can’t continue that way; we can’t. “We have given defaulters a final notice to go and pay and they said it is initial “gra-gra” (false bravery) but something will happen. “By the time we give the final notice, and you don’t pay, the law will be applied,” he said. He added that FCTA was able to save significant Internally Generated Revenue since the removal of the Administration from the Treasury Single Account, adding that the era of abandoned projects in the FCT was over. He explained that some of the hash decisions being taken by the FCTA was for the good of all in the long run, adding that the government would step on toes in the efforts to right the wrongs in the FCT. The minister pledged continued support to the media as critical partners in the development space. Earlier, Isiguzo commended Wike for his transformational potentials as exemplified in Rivers State when he was the governor. He also commended the minister for his media-friendly disposition and pledged the NUJ’s support through free and responsible journalism. He appealed to the minister to support the union’s capacity building programme, its forthcoming National Media Conference, and provide a plot of land for the construction of a Media Village in Abuja. The procedure for the payment of the ground rent is e-payment through the REMITA portal to generate a REMITA Retrieval Reference (RRR). Affected persons are expected to log onto the REMITA portal https://remita.net and click on “Pay TSA & States, then select Federal Capital Territory Administration. After that, select Abuja, Geographic Information Systems and choose the revenue head to be paid which in this case is FCC Ground Rent. Fill the required information, submit, and print the RRR slip, after which payment can be made in any commercial bank. 

FCT Residents Get October 31 Ultimatum To Revert Land For Residential Use

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued an ultimatum to beneficiaries of monetized federal government properties in Abuja. They are required to revert to their original land use by the end of October, or they risk having their properties revoked by November 1. This announcement was made by Mukhtar Galadima, the Director of the Department of Development Control in the Administration, during a news conference in Abuja.  He emphasized that the monetization program was initiated by the Federal Government in 2005 due to the high maintenance costs of these properties, and beneficiaries must adhere to the terms of purchase. Galadima stated, “The minister has approved and directed that all owners of such properties should revert the properties to their original and designated land use, which is residential. Failing to comply with this directive from Nov. 1, the houses are considered as revoked and returned to FCTA.” The Department of Development Control has recorded over 111 cases of land use conversion for these sold houses, spanning across all districts of the capital city.  Additionally, the minister has ordered owners of properties, especially those along major streets, who have converted their properties without approval, to either revert to the original use or pay contravention charges. Non-compliance with these directives may result in the administration taking appropriate action, including revocation.  The primary objective of these measures is to maintain the integrity of the Abuja Master Plan.

Lawyer seeks IGP’s help on Spring Hall British School’s property issue

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has been called upon to intervene in the refusal of the proprietor and Chairman of Spring Hall British School, Mr Stanley Jegede to vacate a property located in the Maitama District of Abuja, after it was sold to new owner.  The new owner of the property, Moxie Communications Limited, through its lawyer, Barrister Victor Giwa, in a letter dated August 25, 2023, called for the intervention of the IGP to avert a breach of public peace.  He said after the property was purchased, the school was notified but Mr Jegede has allegedly frustrated and intimidated his staff on the premises through threats, bullying and other devices.  Barrister Giwa said, “Our Client by a DEED of Assignment and Contract of sales dated 13th of June 2023 respectively purchased the property described above from Mabon Estate Limited. “The said property is used as school by one Stanley Jegede, the proprietor and Chairman of Spring Hall British School hereafter referred to as suspect.  “Our client on the purchase of premises and take over had notified the suspects through several letters of the desire of our client to renovate it premises on the bases of fit for purpose. “Surprisingly, after several letters and discussion, the suspect has deliberately and with the intention of causing breach of public frustrated and intimidated our staff on the premises through threats, bullying and other devices.   These acts of the suspects have stunted the renovation work of our client on his premises. “The suspects have refused and failed to remove items and belongings from our property to enable our client continuous work. “This action of the Jegede Stanley is provocative, and capable of instigating serious resistance from our client’s staff and workers, which may eventually lead to break down of law and Order in the premises.  “It is on this note that we are writing to you for your intervention and arrest of the suspects for his action which is capable of breaching public peace and criminal intimidation.”