By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles, over non-payment of ground rent in the last 10 year.
Director of Lands, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja, Monday.
He said in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama and Guzape, a total of 8,375 property owners have not paid ground rent in the last 40 year.
Nwakwoeze explained that since 2023 the administration made numerous publications in the media , calling on defaulters to pay up all the outstanding bills but there was no positive response from some allottees.
He said the payment of ground rent on landed properties in the FCT is founded on extant legislation which stipulated the terms and conditions of grant of Right of Occupancy.
Nwakwoeze said, “a list of land titles in default of payment of Ground Rent have been compiled in the ten oldest districts of Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City (FCC). They are; 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 (Cadastral Zone A09).
“As at the end of 2024 till date, a total of N6,967,980,119 is owed as Ground Rent by 8,375 property owners.
“This is in contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Rights of Occupancy, in line with the provisions of Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.
“Consequently, the titles of the properties in default of payment of Ground Rent for 10 years and above have been revoked forthwith.
“A grace of 21 Days is also given to title holders that are in default of payment of Ground Rent for between one and ten years, after which the affected tittles will be revoked.” Nwakwoeze said.
