The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that it will begin taking possession of 4,794 revoked properties over non-payment of ground rent between 10 and 43 years.
The Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.
The FCTA had on March 17 announced the revocation of the 4,794 land titles over non-payment of ground rent for more than 10 years.
According to Olayinka, the properties had already reverted to the FCTA.
The revoked titles are located in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape Districts.
Olayinka explained that the FCTA would begin exercising its rights of ownership on the affected landed properties from Monday, without consideration as to ownership.
He emphasised that payment of ground rent on landed properties in the FCT was founded on extant legislation.
“It is clearly stipulated in the terms and conditions of grant of Right of Occupancy, and it is due for payment on the first day of January, each year, without demand,” he said.
The Director of Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, said that the affected properties would be sealed and access restricted beginning from Monday.
Galadima added that the FCTA would decide what to do with the affected properties after taking possession in due course.
The Director of Land, FCTA, Mr Chijioke Nwankwoeze, explained that the FCTA was compiling records of compliance to the 21-day grace given to those who defaulted for 10 years and below.
Nwankwoeze said that the FCTA would act accordingly, as soon as the records were fully compiled and analyzed.
Responding to claims that some affected persons have taken the matter to court, Nwankwoeze said that there was no court decision on the revocation.
“As such, the FCTA is not restricted in the discharge of its lawful functions on the affected properties,” he said.
