The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles due to the non-payment of Ground Rent for over 40 years. This move affects property owners across major districts such as Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape, where a total of 8,375 property owners have failed to fulfill their Ground Rent obligations over the past 43 years.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, addressed the press regarding the development. They explained that numerous public announcements and publications in national media had been made since 2023, urging defaulters to pay the outstanding Ground Rent. However, these efforts resulted in minimal response from the allottees.
“The payment of Ground Rent on landed properties in the FCT is mandated by existing legislation, stipulated in the terms and conditions of the grant of Right of Occupancy,” said Olayinka. “The rent is due for payment on the first day of January each year, without the need for further demand.”
The list of defaulters includes property owners from the oldest districts of Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City (FCC), such as the Central Area District, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape. As of the end of 2024, the amount owed in unpaid Ground Rent totals N6,967,980,119, accumulated by 8,375 property owners.
The revocation of titles applies specifically to 4,794 properties where Ground Rent has been unpaid for over 10 years. These property owners are now in violation of the terms outlined in the Land Use Act, specifically Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b).
In light of this, the FCTA has decided to revoke the titles of the properties in default for more than 10 years immediately. Property owners with overdue payments between one and ten years have been given a grace period of 21 days to settle their debts before their titles are also revoked.
Tags:
