BY Samad Uthman
Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says the capital city administration will clamp down heavily on defaulters of ground rent payment.
Wike issued the warning on Wednesday in Abuja during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The minister said he would match his words with action at the end of the grace period by revoking the affected plots of land.
In September, the FCTA published land titles of individuals, organisations, and agencies owing ground rent.
In the publication, the FCTA reminded allottees of their obligations as stipulated in the certificate of occupancy (C of O) to pay in advance from January 1 of each year.
The FCTA had also warned that failure to comply with any, or all of the terms stated in the rights of occupancy, would lead to the revocation of the title.
Wike said the FCTA has been able to save significant internally generated revenue (IGR) since its removal from the treasury single account (TSA).
He added that the era of abandoned projects in the FCT is over.
“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,” NAN quoted Wike as saying.
“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 ‘garagara’ (false bravery). Something will happen.
“By the time we give the final notice, and you don’t pay, the law will be applied.”
Chris Isiguzo, NUJ president, commended Wike for his spell as Rivers governor.
He also commended the minister for his media-friendly disposition and pledged the NUJ’s support through free and responsible journalism.
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