N6.9bln ground rent debt: Wike revokes 4,794 land titles in FCT

The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has approved the revocation of another 4, 794 land titles in the territory after two months of revoking about 566 land allocations.

The Minister’s decision was prompted by the minister’s decision to not pay ground rent, which is estimated to have cost N6 billion over the past 40 years.

This significant debt points to a long-standing problem with payment obligations.

Following a press briefing by Mr. Chijioke Nwanwkoeze, the ministry’s Director of Lands, Wike made this announcement in a statement released by Mr. Lere Olayinka, his senior special assistant for public communications and social media.

For the past 43 years, 8, 375 property owners in the Central Area have made ground rent payments defaults. Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape are just a few examples.

Additionally, he added that 4, 794 land titles are non-payment of ground rent for ten years and beyond while the property owners owe a total of N6.9 billion.

Beginning in 2023, the FCT Administration, according to Wike, had a number of publications and announcements on broadcast media before the revocation of land titles, adding that existing laws provided for the payment of ground rents.

The FCTA has published numerous publications in national newspapers and broadcast media announcements since 2023, requesting that all nonpayments be made and paying all outstanding bills and ground rents, according to the statement. Due to several allotees failing to pay, all of these failed to receive much response.

It is crucial to point out that the FCT’s provisional law provides for payment of ground rent on landed properties. It is clearly set forth in the terms and conditions of the grant of the Right of Occupancy, and it is always due without charge on January 1st, each year.

In Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City (FCC), ten of the ten oldest districts have been identified as having land titles that are in default of paying ground rent. Central Area District (Cadastral Zone A00), Garki I (Cadastral Zone A01), Wuse I (Cadastral Zone A02), Garki II (Cadastral Zone A03), Asokoro (Cadastral Zone A04), Maitama (Cadastral Zone A05), Maitama (Cadastral Zone A06), Wuse II (Cadastral Zone A07), Wuse II (Cadastral Zone A08), and Guzape (C

” As of the end of 2024 and up till today, a total of N6, 967, 980, 119 is owed as ground rent by 8, 375 property owners. In other words, 8 375 property owners have not yet paid ground rent as of 2024, the most recent year.

“Over 4 794 land titles have received ground rent payments that have been defaulted for at least ten years. In other words, in the ten years since, 4, 794 property owners have not paid ground rent in the districts where they are located. In contravention of Section 28 Subsections 5a and b) of the Land Use Act, the terms and conditions of grant of the rights of occupation are violated.

The minister stated that people who have had 10 or more years of unpaid property rights must immediately have their titles revoked, while those who have had less than 10 years of outstanding property must have a 21-day grace period to resolve their debts, and that those who have had that title also have their titles removed.

Source: Per Second News