FCTA changes when ground rent is due, issues a revocation threat

The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, extended the deadline for payment of unpaid ground rentals in Abuja to December 14, 2023, after the previous deadline had expired.

According to The PUNCH, the FCT Administration released land titles of private citizens, businesses, and governmental entities in September along with a reminder that they must pay ground rent on January 1 of each year in accordance with the terms of their Certificates of Occupancy.

The FCTA Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, signed the publication advising the debtors to make payments “within two weeks from the date of publication, failure of which such titles may be revoked.”

Furthermore keep in mind that the minister had issued a warning regarding the repercussions of not making debt payments, saying that “something will surely happen, contrary to the erroneous assumption that the ground rent directive was an empty threat.”

However, the minister has extended the deadline to December 14, according to FCT Director of Information Muhammad Sule, who revealed this on Sunday. Sule highlighted that the earlier deadline had opened the door for related fines.

He continued by saying that the FCTA anticipated earning over N30 billion from the settlement of ground debts in the region.

The FCTA would like to inform everyone that the grace period has ended, making it possible for the associated sanctions to be enforced, as well as to remind them of the final notification that was sent for the settlement of unpaid ground rents.

“The Minister of FCT has kindly approved that an extension be granted from the expiration of the final notice to December 14, 2023, in consideration of the persistent response from affected allottees and to avoid disenfranchisement those who are still in line for ground rent bill collection and are eager to pay.”

“The grant rent payment is expected to bring in over N30 billion for the administration.”