By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Monday approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles, over non-payment of Ground Rent, for more than 40 years.
The land title renovation affects landed properties in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama and Guzape, out of which a total of 8,375 property owners have not paid Ground Rent in the past 43 years.
The FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration ,FCTA, Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze made this known at a press briefing on Monday.
Olayinka stated that the FCTA had made numerous publications in national newspapers and announcements on broadcast media since 2023, calling on defaulters to pay up all outstanding bills and ground rents. All these yielded little response, as several allottees failed to pay.”
“It is important to state that payment of Ground Rent on landed properties in the FCT is 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.”
According to Olayinka, a list of land titles in default of payment of Ground Rent has been compiled in the ten oldest districts of Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City (FCC).
Affected districts include Central Area District (Cadastral Zone A00), Garki I (Cadastral Zone A01), Wuse I (Cadastral Zone A02), Garki II (Cadastral Zone A03), Asokoro (Cadastral Zone A04), Maitama (Cadastral Zone A05), Maitama (Cadastral Zone A06), Wuse II (Cadastral Zone A07), Wuse II (Cadastral Zone A08) and Guzape (Cadastral Zone A09).
The FCTA Director of Lands , Chijioke Nwankwoez explained that, ” As at the end of 2024 and until today, a total of N6,967,980,119 is owed as Ground Rent by 8,375 property owners. In other words, a total of 8,375 property owners have not paid Ground Rent up to last year.”
“A total of 4,794 land titles are in default of Ground rent payment for 10 years and above.
“This is in contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Rights of Occupancy, in line with the provisions of Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.”
“Consequently, the titles of the properties in default of payment of Ground Rent for 10 years and above have been revoked forthwith.”
“A grace of 21 Days is also given to titleholders that are in default of payment of Ground Rent for between one and ten years, after which the affected tittles will be revoked.”
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