By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister Barr. Nysome Wike has disclosed that the administration is working towards increasing ground rent bills in Abuja.
Wike made this known on Wednesday in Abuja after an inspection of some critical projects including the Abuja International Conference Centre, N5 Life Camp road and Gishiri interchange roads slated for commissioning to mark President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second year anniversary in office.
The minister revealed that he had signed over 1,500 Certificates -of-Occupancy, C-of-Os, and assignments, but people collect the documents but refuse to pay taxes to the government.
“I mean, it’s not acceptable. It doesn’t matter what anybody wants to say. It’s not acceptable.”
The minister further warned that they will not give into blackmail.
The minister stated that blackmail will not stop the administration from carrying out the work of repossession of properties if people refuse to pay within the widow grace of two weeks.
“I can assure you, the President has given a window of two weeks. Let nobody think that blackmail or whatever will stop us. We will do what we are supposed to do. This is all about leadership. We will not give in for blackmail. We will do the right thing. If you have not paid, we will take it.”
The minister wondered why people would refuse to pay their ground rent for a period of 20 to 30 years.
“Look at the years, 20 something years, 30 something years. And how much is it? We have not increased the ground rent, but we are working towards that. We will do that, he reaffirmed.
The minister revealed that the greatest challenge the administration is facing is when residents refuse to pay their taxes, adding that Abuja is not an oil state but depends on taxes for the development of infrastructure in the city.
It is not enough to say FCT is doing well , we are doing well because we are managing the resources we have prudently. If you pay your taxes, you will see that it will be a different thing, the minister emphasized.
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