By Festus Fifen

In a swift response to the controversies that surrounded the revocation and enforcement of ground rents debts by the FCT administration, President Bola Tinubu on Monday intervened by directing the FCT Minister Nyesome Wike to give defaulters an additional 14 Days to settle all outstanding debts owed.

The recent development was made known to the public during a joint press briefing by the Director of Land administration of the FCT, Mr Chijioke Nwankoeze and the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on public Communication and Social Media Lere Olayinka.

According to Nwankoeze who read out the text of the briefing, by the virtue of Mr. President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days (TWO WEEKS) to settle the outstanding Ground Rents, with associated penalties.

In his words, ” For properties in the Central Area, 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.

Furthermore, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has granted a 14 days (TWO WEEKS) grace period to all property holders in the FCT to pay up their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O)/Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, or risk revocation of those titles”

Nwankoeze added that 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 added that the inclusion of Properties owned by government institutions, corporate organisations and individuals to the ongoing exercise is a demonstration of the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s commitment to carrying out its functions without fear or favour.

It will be recalled that the FCTA on Monday May 26, 2025 commenced enforcement on the 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of Ground Rent, from 10 to 43 years respectively.