Tinubu Grants 14-Day Waiver to Abuja Property Owners Over Ground Rent Default
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Tinubu Grants 14-Day Waiver to Abuja Property Owners Over Ground Rent Default
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stepped in to ease tensions surrounding the mass revocation of property titles in Abuja due to unpaid ground rent, offering a 14-day grace period for defaulters to settle their dues.
On Monday, officials from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration began enforcement action on 4,794 properties that had been revoked over non-payment of ground rent, some outstanding for as long as 43 years. The affected properties include those belonging to individuals, corporate organisations and even government institutions.
Thanks to the President’s intervention, the owners of these properties now have two weeks to clear their outstanding ground rent and associated penalties.
Addressing journalists, Director of the FCT Department of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, outlined the financial implications for different districts.
“For properties in the Central Area, N5 million will be paid by the defaulters as penalty in addition to the Ground Rent owed,” he said.
He further noted that:
“For those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape Districts will pay 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.”
Read also: FCTA Seals FIRS, Access Bank and Total Over Decades of Unpaid Ground Rent in Abuja
In addition, Nwankwoeze called on all those who bought properties from other owners but have not yet registered their interests with the mandatory Minister’s Consent and Deeds of Assignment to do so within the next 14 days at the FCT Land Administration office.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has also given all property holders a two-week ultimatum to clear their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) or Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, or face title revocation.
“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,” he stated.
The move is seen as a balancing act between enforcing accountability and offering a final opportunity for compliance.
