The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has given property owners in the FCT a 14-day ultimatum to settle their ground rent arrears and associated penalties.
The decision was sequel to the sealing of several properties, including the PDP National Secretariat, FIRS, and NAPTIP, over non-payment of ground rent.
According to Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, defaulters will pay varying penalties based on location.
For properties in the Central Area, Olayinka said that the sum of N5 million will be paid by the defaulters as penalty, in addition to the Ground Rent owed.
Those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape Districts will pay the sum of N3 million as penalty, in addition to the Ground Rent owed.
Defaulters in Wuse I, Garki I and Garki II will pay N2 million as penalty in addition to the Ground Rent owed.
Also, all those who purchased properties from other people, but are yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment now have 14 days (TWO WEEKS) to do so at the FCT Department of Land Administration.
The FCTA commenced enforcement on 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of ground rent, spanning 10 to 43 years.
One of the properties affected includes the Wadata Plaza housing the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national secretariat.
Others included complexes housing a commercial bank, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) at the Wuse Zone 5 in the nation’s capital.
The PDP has, however, condemned the sealing off of its secretariat calling it irresponsible.
Briefing the press after a caucus meeting on Monday, the Acting Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, vowed that the party will challenge the action.
Wike advised property owners to pay all necessary bills and charges on time, enabling the government to fund developmental projects for the people’s benefit .
