President Bola Tinubu has intervened to protect institutions and organisations that defaulted in the payment of ground rents, for which 4,794 are being sealed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

At an emergency press briefing Monday evening, Director of Land Administration in the FCTA, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, announced that “by Mr. President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days to settle the outstanding Ground Rents, with associated penalties.”

“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,” he added.

Nwankwoeze further stated that 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,” he added.

It was also directed that 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.

The director further said,”the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, 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.”

“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.