By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike has again said that the January 3, 2025 deadline earlier given to land owners who are yet to pay their statutory ground rent remain unchanged and will not be extended.
Wike reiterated this on Tuesday while inspecting some ongoing projects like the 10-lane 15-kilometre Apo-Wasa road, the Court of Appeal Complex in Jabi District and the Saburi- Dei Dei road.
The Minister dismissed claims of having special interest in some choice plots, explained that the decision to revoke some lands as a result of owners failure to pay the ground rent is not because the Administration have interest in re- acquiring those lands, but it need funds to provide more infrastructural development.
Noting that the process of revocation had been on for years, Wike said he was only implementing what he met on ground.
“As far as I am concerned, this was done before we came on board and what the Land Department and the AGIS did was to generate from the system. First of all, if you have paid, it means that you have collected your Certificate of Occupancy C of O.
“Right of Occupancy (R of O) is like an allocation of land where you go and pay for your C of O. So, when you don’t have the C of O, it means that you have not paid. I don’t want to join issues with the Speaker or whatever but the point is that if there are people who have paid, like some people say they have paid and they have attached their receipts to show that they have paid, in such cases, yes, there are many. As to whether there will be another grace, I don’t think we will do that.
“You know, like I have always said, Nigerians don’t like to comply. These allocations were done more than 10 years ago. It was not as if it was done during our own time. And you know Abuja does not have anything other than property to tax for us to have development. So, we have been able to do justice by making sure that people are going to abide and comply. Our interest is not to have the lands back. Our interest is for them to pay so we can use the funds for the development of their city.
“Now, we are talking about roads. How will you get the roads done without people complying and paying? So, we will not. I don’t think we want to give another period of grace. After it expires, we will reallocate all those lands so other people who will be interested”, he stated.
Asked whether the constant criticisms of his actions by some partisans would slow him down, Wike said; “I have never complained of distractions. Nothing distracts me. I am very focused. Even if people are complaining, it is part of confidence. You don’t expect that you will superintend over the fears of people and then you satisfy everybody. People must complain, but I can tell you such complaints cannot distract us. We are very focused and since it is part of our job, we will continue to do our job. Forget about people saying demolition”.
