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FCT GOVERNMENT GRANTS 14-DAY GRACE PERIOD FOR PROPERTY OWNERS TO PAY GROUND RENT

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has commenced enforcement on 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of Ground Rent, ranging from 10 to 43 years. However, following the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, property holders have been given a 14-day grace period to settle their outstanding Ground Rents with associated penalties. In a statement signed by Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration, FCT, property owners in the Central Area are expected to pay a penalty of N5 million in addition to the Ground Rent owed. Those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape Districts will pay N3 million, while defaulters in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II will pay N2 million as penalty. Nwankwoeze stated that the FCT Administration is committed to carrying out its functions without fear or favour. “The Federal Capital Territory Administration’s commitment to carrying out its functions without fear or favour,” Nwankwoeze said, highlighting the administration’s stance. The Director of Land Administration also urged property owners to take advantage of the grace period to settle their outstanding bills. “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,” Nwankwoeze added. Nwankwoeze further emphasized that property holders who have purchased properties but are yet to register their interests have 14 days to obtain the mandatory Minister’s Consent and register their Deeds of Assignment at the FCT Department of Land Administration. The Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has granted the 14-day grace period to all property holders in the FCT to pay up their Right of Occupancy/Certificate of Occupancy bills, or risk revocation of those titles.

FCTA SEALS PDP NATIONAL SECRETARIAT AHEAD OF NEC MEETING

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has sealed the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, just a day before the party’s scheduled National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. The move comes after the FCTA announced plans to recover properties impacted by the recent revocation of 4,794 land titles due to prolonged non-payment of ground rent. At approximately 2:00 PM, FCTA officials arrived at Wadata Plaza, the PDP’s national headquarters, and locked the entrance gates, effectively barring access to the premises. The timing and implications of this action are likely to fuel political speculation, especially given the significance of the NEC meeting. The FCTA’s decision to seal the PDP secretariat is part of its efforts to enforce the revocation of land titles. The administration has stated that some of the affected properties have not paid ground rent for between 10 and 43 years. The PDP’s reaction to this development is yet to be made public, but the move is likely to escalate tensions between the party and the FCTA. The NEC meeting, which was scheduled to take place at the sealed secretariat, may now be affected by this development.

FCTA TO TAKE POSSESSION OF 4,794 PROPERTIES REVOKED OVER NON-PAYMENT OF GROUND RENT

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will begin taking possession of 4,794 properties revoked over non-payment of Ground Rent for between 10 and 43 years, starting Monday, May 26, 2025. The properties are located in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape districts. According to the FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, ownership of the revoked properties has already reverted to the FCTA. “As from Monday, next week, the government will begin to exercise its rights of ownership on the affected landed properties. This will be done without consideration as to ownership of the affected landed properties. It will be purely in line with extant laws and regulations guiding the process,” Olayinka stated. The Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, explained that affected properties will be sealed up and access to them restricted as from Monday. “The FCTA will decide what to do with the affected properties in due course,” Galadima added. The Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, disclosed that the FCTA was already compiling records of compliance and non-compliance of title holders that were in default of payment of Ground Rent for between one and ten years, who were given a 21-day grace period to pay up. “The government will act accordingly as soon as the records are fully compiled and analyzed,” Nwankwoeze said. The FCTA had revoked the land titles in March 2025 due to non-payment of Ground Rent, which contravened the terms and conditions of grant of the Rights of Occupancy. A total of N6,967,980,119 was owed as Ground Rent by 8,375 property owners. The affected properties will be taken over by the FCTA, and the administration will exercise its lawful rights of ownership.

FCTA TAKES DRAGNET APPROACH TO ILLEGAL MOTORCYCLES, CRUSHES 601 IN ABUJA

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has crushed 601 impounded motorcycles in Abuja for traffic infractions. The exercise was monitored by Mandate Secretary for Transport, Dr. Elechi Chinedum, who emphasized that the administration was acting under the regulation of the FCT. “The most recent regulation, which is the law on this subject matter, is that of 1st January 2023. It was signed into law by the immediate past administration of Mohammed Bello as FCT Minister. So it’s a law,” Chinedum said. He added that the law prohibits the use of motorcycles in certain areas of the FCT, citing security concerns and the need to maintain decent movement in the nation’s capital. The Director of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Dr. Abdulateef Bello, said the exercise aimed to curtail traffic abuses in the territory. “This exercise has been our usual routine to support the existing ban on the use of commercial motorcycles in the Federal Capital City,” he stated. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations, FCT Command, Mode Magawata, said the FCT Minister funded the exercise to ensure that motorcycles plying within restricted areas are impounded. “We cannot fold our hands because they are the people being used to commit crimes within their cities,” Magawata added.

NUJ FCT COUNCIL COMMISERATES WITH FCTA CHAPEL OVER DEATH OF MEMBER

The NUJ FCT Council has extended its condolences to the immediate family and the entire FCTA Chapel over the sudden death of a member, Immaculate Chidinma Obasi, who passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, while giving birth through a C-section. In a statement, Secretary of Council, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, expressed the council’s sympathy with the family and colleagues of the deceased. “The NUJ FCT Council commiserates with the immediate family and the entire FCTA Chapel over the sudden death of a member, Immaculate Chidinma Obasi,” Oyekunle said. Immaculate was a 28-year-old staff member of the Urban and Regional Affairs AMMC, hailing from Udi Afan Local Government Area of Enugu State. Oyekunle described Immaculate as a gentle soul, saying, “May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.” The council’s condolences reflect the loss felt by her colleagues and the community. Oyekunle’s message serves as a testament to the impact Immaculate had on those who knew her. The council’s message of condolence was signed by Oyekunle, who expressed the council’s sympathy with the family and colleagues of the deceased. The death of Immaculate has left a void in the community, and her memory will be cherished by those who knew her.

FCTA MINISTER NYESOM WIKE CALLS FOR UNITY, VIGILANCE IN EID-EL-FITR MESSAGE

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, has extended warm greetings to residents of the nation’s capital, particularly the Muslim community, as they celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. In a message on Tuesday, Wike praised the spiritual devotion and generosity demonstrated during the holy month while urging citizens to uphold unity and peace beyond the festive period. Wike described Ramadan as a period of “deep spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and an opportunity to draw closer to Almighty Allah,” adding, “I pray that the Almighty, in His infinite mercy, accepts all our acts of worship, supplications, and sacrifices during the blessed month and rewards us abundantly with His divine blessings.” He commended residents for their “acts of charity, kindness, and generosity,” emphasizing that such virtues are critical to fostering harmony in the FCT. The minister called on residents to sustain these values, stating, “As we celebrate Eid, I urge all residents to continue to embody these noble virtues even beyond Ramadan, as they are essential to building a harmonious and prosperous society.” He stressed the FCT’s symbolic role as Nigeria’s unifying center, urging citizens to “live in peace and harmony, respecting one another irrespective of religious or ethnic differences, and working together for the common good.” Wike reiterated the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, welfare, and security, noting, “The FCT Administration remains steadfast in its commitment to the infrastructural development of the Territory, as well as the welfare and security of all residents.” He appealed for collective vigilance, stating, “Security is a collective duty, and I encourage everyone to promptly report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities. For it is only in an atmosphere of peace that we can all realize our collective and individual dreams.” The minister also urged prayers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and other leaders, saying, “The task of building a Territory that reflects our collective dreams—one of peace, prosperity, and unity—is immense, and we need your support, faith, and most importantly, your prayers, for divine wisdom and guidance.” Wike warned against divisive elements, declaring, “Let us remain united and not allow anyone to sow seeds of division or instigate public disturbance.” He concluded with renewed Eid wishes, praying for a “happy, peaceful, memorable, and blessed Eid-el-Fitr” for all residents.

WIKE COMMISSIONS NAHARATI RIVERS UKYA ACCESS ROAD, REITERATES PRESIDENT TINUBU’S COMMITMENT TO FCT DEVELOPMENT

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has commissioned the Naharati Rivers Ukya Access road with two span river bridges in Abaji Area Council. The project, which was flagged off in January 2024, is one of the promises made and fulfilled by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for FCT residents. Wike, who thanked the President for giving him the opportunity to contribute to the development of the FCT, assured that all promises made by the President for residents will be fulfilled. “We did consult you, and the Chairman requested this road as a crucial need for the community. This is a fulfillment of that request,” he said. The Minister explained that the construction of the Naharati Rivers Ukya road was the desire of the people of Abaji, passed on to the FCTA by the Council Chairman, Hon. Abubakar Umar Abdullahi. He added that this desire, as well as that of the other area councils, was passed on to the President, hence the series of road projects executed in the six Area Councils. Wike also spoke on other promises made, including the provision of two more police divisions in Abaji to beef up security. “We promised that by the grace of God, we shall provide two more police divisions in Abaji. And I did tell you that day that whatever we agree, go home and rest, we shall fulfill it,” he said. The Minister stressed that no part of the FCT will be left untouched, as he plans to ensure an even spread of infrastructural development. “Throughout this week, from Monday to Friday, we will devote ourselves to the commissioning of projects in the six area councils,” he said. In their separate messages of goodwill, the Chairman of the Senate and Deputy Chairman of the House committees on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Senator David Jimkuta and Hon Peter Apanke, commended the FCT Minister for the infrastructure development in the FCT and pledged their continued support for the FCTA. Abdullahi The Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Hon. Abubakar Umar Abdullahi, thanked the FCT Minister for the project, describing it as ‘a promise made and fulfilled’. He added that the project is key for the Naharati community and the entire area council. The Coordinator, Satellite Town Development Department (STDD), Hon Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, thanked the FCT Minister for restoring hope to residents of the FCT through the execution of projects that have a direct bearing on the lives of the people. Mahmoud In her vote of thanks, the Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, extended gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the privilege of carrying out the enormous responsibility of overseeing the territory on his behalf. She also thanked the FCT Minister for his commitment to enhancing rural infrastructure in the FCT. Dr. Mariya said, “Improved road networks such as this Naharati access road connect rural producers to markets, enabling them to sell their goods at fair prices and access essential services more easily. This enhances productivity, creates employment opportunities, and stimulates local economies.”