ABUJA: Several buildings were sealed in Abuja on Monday by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, prompting the relocation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus meeting to a new venue.
This enforcement action has drawn significant attention, particularly following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, which led to a 14-day grace period being granted to defaulters to settle outstanding ground rents and associated penalties.
According to a statement issued by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, defaulters in various districts will face specific penalties in addition to their unpaid Ground Rent:
-
Central Area: N5 million penalty
-
Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, Guzape: N3 million penalty
-
Wuse I, Garki I, Garki II: N2 million penalty
- Read also:
- Wike Vows To Continue Demolitions In FCT Despite Criticism From Activists Furthermore, individuals who have purchased properties but have not yet registered their interests, by obtaining the Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment, are now required to do so within 14 days at the FCT Department of Land Administration.
Minister Wike also announced a two-week grace period for all property owners in the FCT to pay their outstanding Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) or Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) charges. Failure to comply could result in the revocation of these titles.
The statement emphasized the importance of timely payments, noting that such funds are essential for the government to carry out developmental projects for the benefit of FCT residents.
The FCTA’s enforcement began with sealing 4,794 properties that had defaulted on Ground Rent payments for periods ranging from 10 to 43 years.
These included buildings owned by government agencies, corporations, and private individuals.
Wadata Plaza, which houses the PDP’s national secretariat, is among the affected properties. Other sealed properties include facilities belonging to a commercial bank, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) located in Wuse Zone 5.
In response, the PDP condemned the action, labeling it as “irresponsible. Following its emergency caucus meeting, the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, stated that the PDP would challenge the FCTA’s decision.
