By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has directed officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to halt for 14 days the ongoing sealing and taking over of properties of defaulters of ground rent payment within the territory.
This is coming hours after the FCT Administration kicked start the sealing exercise on Monday.
The defaulters now have two weeks to settle their outstanding ground rents including the penalties.
Briefing newsmen on the development, Director, FCT Department of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze said for properties in the Central Area, the sum of N5 million will be paid by the defaulters as penalty, in addition to the Ground Rent owed.
He added that for those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape Districts will pay the sum of N3 million as penalty, while defaulters in Wuse I, Garki I and Garki II will pay N2 million as penalty, all in addition to the Ground Rent owed.
According to him, all those who purchased properties from other people, but are yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment now have 14 days (two weeks) to do so, at the FCT Department of Land Administration.
Furthermore, Nwankwoeze revealed that the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has granted a 14 days (two weeks) grace period to all property holders in the FCT to pay up their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O)/Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, or risk revocation of those titles.
“Going forward, the Minister has advised property owners in the FCT to ensure that they pay all necessary bills and charges on their properties as at and when due, so as to enable the government to continue to carry out necessary developmental projects for the benefit of the people.”
