Following the expiration of the initial deadline given to land allottees in Abuja to settle their ground rent arrears, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has extended the payment deadline to December 14, 2023.
The FCT Administration in September had published the land titles of individuals, corporate organizations, and government agencies, reminding them of their obligation to pay ground rent annually as stipulated in their Certificates of Occupancy.
In the publication signed by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, the debtors were advised to pay up “within two weeks from the date of publication, failure of which such titles may be revoked.”
Also, the minister had warned against the consequences of non-payment of debts, declaring “something will surely happen, contrary to the erroneous assumption that the ground rent directive was an empty threat.”
However, the FCT Director of Information, Muhammad Sule, who noted that the earlier given deadline had paved the way for attendant sanctions, disclosed on Sunday that the minister had extended the deadline, until December 14.
He added that the FCTA expected to rake in about N30bn from the payment of ground debts in the territory.
“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 the 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 in 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 administration is expecting over N30 billion from the grant rent payment.”
Source: Punch
