…Okays revocation of 4,794 land titles
Stories by Stanley Onyekwere
Following the resistance to the recent demolition of structures obstructing the construction of the Arterial Road N16 in Gishiri village in Katampe District, Abuja, the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike has warned that no threats from any quarter will stop the government from doing its work.
Wike, handed down this warning while addressing stakeholders and a delegation of Gishiri Community’s leaders, yesterday, inside his official residence in LifeCamp, Abuja.
He said: “I will not tolerate being threatened. I want to see that happen. Nobody threatens me. If you have a problem, come and talk to me. We’ll discuss it. But don’t threaten me.
“We all have the capacity to make choices. I choose not to be aggressive. I choose to be gentle.
That doesn’t mean I’m incapable of taking action. I don’t want to take the law into my own hands. I want to be a law-abiding.
“We cannot allow people to take laws into their hands. No threats will work. I’m here to help you. I’m here to support you. There’s a place where I say, ‘Do this.’ When doing it, give them human rights. But giving them human rights doesn’t mean the job won’t get done.
“How do you expect me to stay here? As President, I have a four-year term. I’ll still be the same person. The previous President didn’t do anything in Abuja. You’ll still be the same person.
“Now, I want to provide water to the satellite towns. And then someone will say, ‘My father was buried here.’ Therefore, the pipe won’t pass. How?”
He continued: ” It’s not everything the government does, but everybody will like it. So, I want to do it. Let them pay the money. Let them give you the location we’ve designated. I’ve approved it.
“So, it is up to civil servants, to make it happen. I’m a politician. I want this done now. Civil servants, you know how they operate. And then you have to go through the process.
“It’s nothing to run around and say we must support this government for what they’re doing. People are coming to tell you, ‘Do this, do this, do this.’ Threats, threats, threats. It doesn’t work.
“If there’s anything they’re doing, let me know. You have the Chairman of the Council. He should be able to say, ‘Okay, see, my people, this, this.’ I have no problem. I come from a place too. I know what it means to come from a city.
“Sometimes I ask myself, ‘Should we allow this?’ Coming from a city, I know the implications. Those who are settlers don’t have this problem. But you, being from here, have it. There’s no way around it. The sacrifice must be made.”
“So, I’m sorry for whatever you think we’ve done. We didn’t do anything to harm anyone. What we do, is in the public interest.”
Ealier, a community member, Princess Juliet Jonah alleged that the victims were protesting because of N72, 000 offered per building to victims.
However, Wike assured the affected persons of their complete compensation irrespective of their status as indigenes or non-indigenes.
“Government does not pay compensation based on where you come from. Compensation is based on who has papers there.
“It is not I am Igbo for example, I have papers, but I won’t pay you. If a road is passing through your land, you deserve to be paid. Nobody should be denied because they are ‘non-indigenes,” the minister stressed.
Recall that the Minister, last week had to personally supervised the demolition exercise, after failed attempts to relocate those having structures on the corridors of the ongoing road project with May as its completion deadline.
It was gathered that the exercise allegedly affected properties of over 455 residents, comprising indigenes and non indigenes in area.
Meanwhile, the FCT Minister has approved revocation of 4,794 land titles, over non-payment of Ground Rent, for more than 40 years.
In the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama and Guzape, a total of 8,375 property owners have not paid Ground Rent in the last 43 years.
This was made known by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, and the FCT Administration’s Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, who briefed the press yesterday.
According to them: “It should be noted that the FCTA 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.
“Consequently, a list of land titles in default of payment of Ground Rent have been compiled in the ten oldest districts of Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City (FCC). They are; 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).
“As at the end of 2024 and up till 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, 2024.
“A total of 4,794 land titles are in default of Ground rent payment for 10 years and above. Meaning that in the listed districts, 4,794 property owners have not paid Ground Rent in the last 10 years.
“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 title holders that are in default of payment of Ground Rent for between one and ten years, after which the affected tittles will be revoked.”
