By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike has made it known that there would not be any further extension of deadline for property owners who fail to pay their ground rent and other statutory fees within this week.
Wike stated this while carrying out an inspection of the ongoing works by construction firms Julius Berger and Levant in N2 Wuse and the N5 corridor in Life Camp areas of Abuja on Monday.
Commenting on the previous notices on ground rent enforcement circulated by the FCT Administration, the Minister categorically declared: Certainly. it has to be the last time. Unfortunately, most Nigerians who complain do not want to abide by rules.
He affirmed that Abuja’s aggressive development is being powered solely by the FCT’s internal budget.
The Minister who appears to be happy with the significant progress on key infrastructure projects in N2 and the N5 corridor warned that properties whose owners fail to comply within this week risk being sealed.
” We cannot carry out these projects without people paying their taxes. We extended it by two or three weeks, but it is now more than four months. This is the last time, we are not going to extend further, ” he stated.
At the N5 corridor, Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace of work by Julius Berger, noting that a project stalled for years has now reached an advanced stage.
“We have been here several years ago when this bridge was ongoing. But today we are on top of the bridge. Julius Berger has assured us that by the end of January, N5 will be delivered.
We are very happy with the quality of the job done.”
Earlier at the Central Area–Wuse link road project handled by Levant the minister disclosed that the contractor is on track to complete the project by early June.
“The head works are ongoing, and they assured us that by the end of May first week of June, the work will be completed. This road is very key as it connects the central area to Wuse.”
Wike clarified that, despite public perception, the current wave of construction in the FCT is not being funded by the national budget.
“We are implementing the FCT 2025 budget. That is what we are using.
We have not received a dime from this year’s national budget, though we believe those funds will be released before year-end.”
He added that the Central Area–Wuse link road is being executed under emergency funding provisions of the FCT budget.
