Embassies, agencies get 3 months to act as Wike revokes Abuja lands (Full list)

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has granted approval for the revocation of 21 plots of land situated in the Central Business District (CBD) of Abuja. This decision was confirmed through a statement signed by Olusade Adesola, the Permanent Secretary in the FCT Administration, containing the revocation notice.

The revocation affects foreign embassies, government agencies, institutions, and individuals. The action was taken by Minister Wike under the powers vested in him by Section 28(5)(a) & (b) of the Land Use Act 1978. The lands were revoked due to persistent non-development, breaching the terms of the Right of Occupancy.

Among the affected allottees are Lowe Lintas, Tourist Company of Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, CFA Motors, and Chidol Properties, among others. This revocation differs from the list published the previous Friday.

Additionally, as previously reported by Naija News, the Director of Information and Communication in the FCTA, Muhammad Sule, announced in a separate statement that the Minister has allowed a three-month grace period for 189 titleholders. These individuals and organizations, who have obtained building plan approvals but have not initiated development on their property, must commence building plans within the specified grace period. Failure to do so will result in the revocation of their titles, in line with legal provisions.

This grace period extends to both individuals and corporate entities within the Federal Capital City (FCC) who have demonstrated intent to develop their property by obtaining building plan approvals but have yet to commence proper development.

The affected embassies/diplomatic missions and 168 others are covered by this grace period. Some of the diplomatic missions include the Embassy of Ireland, the Embassy of France, the Canadian High Commission, the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Embassy of Turkey, and the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of Angola, among others.

Additionally, affected by the three-month grace period are entities such as the Abuja National Mosque Council, Abuja National Mosque Management Committee, Daily Times of Nigeria, Elf Petroleum, Access Bank, Federal Housing Authority, and various individuals and public institutions.

Owners of these plots have been exempted from revocation due to their demonstrated commitment to property development by obtaining necessary documents from the FCT Administration. The FCT Administration has urged the affected property owners to capitalize on the Minister’s gesture and develop their plots in accordance with the terms of the Offer of the Right-Of-Occupancy, as published in national dailies. The FCT Administration also appealed to affected public institutions to commence development of their plots or risk revocation of their titles for continued non-compliance with the terms of the Right of Occupancy. These plots belong to individuals, corporate organizations, and public institutions that have consistently failed to adhere to the terms of the agreement as stipulated in Section 28(5) (a) & (b) of the Land Use Act regarding the Right of Occupancy.