The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that defaulting property owners in the nation’s capital have been given sufficient time to pay their ground rent.
In May, the FCT administration (FCTA) sealed several properties over alleged non-payment of ground rent for 10 to 43 years.
The properties were unsealed after President Bola Tinubu intervened and gave the owners a 14-day ultimatum to settle the debts.
Speaking on Friday in Abuja, Wike said the ground rent defaulters have had enough grace period, noting that the administration needs revenue to execute more development projects in the nation’s capital.
“We have allowed so much time. Initially, we gave two weeks. It has passed one month, two months, three months,” he said.
“You know how Nigerians are; if you don’t take steps, nothing will happen.
“So, for all those owing, from the ones we have published up to 2025, you have to provide the list so that we can commence immediate implementation.”
The minister asked the directors of land, Abuja geographic information system, development control, and urban and regional planning to “work tirelessly” to ensure implementation.
