FCT: Wike issues ground rent defaulters in Abuja yellow card

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern and final warning to defaulters of ground rent payments within the nation’s capital, affirming that there will be consequences for non-compliance.

Wike delivered this warning during a visit by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its President, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, in Abuja. He emphasized that the directive regarding ground rent payment should not be misconstrued as an empty threat, asserting that “something will surely happen.”

It is worth recalling that in September, the FCT Administration published a list of land titles belonging to individuals, organizations, and agencies that were in arrears on their ground rent payments. The publication served as a reminder to allottees of lands in the FCT regarding their obligations, which require them to pay ground rent in advance without the need for demand, commencing from January 1 of each year.

The FCT Administration also issued a strong warning, stating that a failure to comply with the terms outlined in the Rights of Occupancy could result in the revocation of the title. In response, the administration urged all allottees, property owners, and beneficiaries of Federal Government Houses in the FCT to clear their outstanding ground rents or face the risk of losing their titles.

Wike further assured defaulters that, after the grace period, he would take decisive action by revoking the plots owned by those who fail to meet their financial obligations. He stated, “By the time we give the final notice, and you don’t pay, the law will be applied.”