By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday urged all property owners and organizations in the territory a final grace of two weeks beginning from Monday to pay up their ground rents or risk revocation.
Wike gave this warning on Monday at the inspection of ongoing projects including the Vice President’s residence, under construction by Julius Berger; the Asokoro and Area 1 roundabout on the Outer Southern Expressway being constructed by CGC; Wuye Bridge under construction by Arab Contractors Limited; and road D6 and B12, handled by Julius Berger.
The minister expressed optimism about the timely delivery of the projects said; “I think we are quite optimistic that with the speed of work, and taking advantage of the weather, we believe that by May 29, these projects will be ready.
“It is very key for us to understand that without payment of taxes, it will be very difficult for us to carry out most of these gigantic projects. If we don’t have the money, there is nothing we can do.”
” Again, like we have always said to the elite, they want roads, they want good environment, they want streetlights everywhere; government does not print money. Government needs to tax people and then use that money for the development of the area.”
“So, I will always plead with everybody that they should try, as much as they can, to pay their ground rents. We have published the last set of those who are still owing the one for 2023. We gave them until 14th of December last year, after which we were going to revoke.”
But we are human, we believe that the ethics will not be as good as people expect, well, we have extended it to another two weeks, after which we will have no choice if you don’t pay, but to revoke the title documents”, he said.
According to the minister, despite the economic situation in the country, his administration would not allow contract variation, by ensuring the prompt payment of project funds to the various contractors.
“First, whether inflation or not, that is why we are here, to solve problems. With the taxes people pay, we try, as much as we can, to allocate it to the priority projects. Again, we don’t allow variation. Why? Because we also try to pay as at when due, so the issue of variation does not come in”, Wike emphasized.
