The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated there will be no further extension for the payment of outstanding ground rents, warning that properties of defaulters will be seized by the administration.
Mr Wike issued the final ultimatum on Monday in Abuja, confirming that enforcement actions would now begin.
He said grace periods granted to defaulters, including a two-week extension and an additional presidential intervention, had elapsed after more than four months.
“We cannot carry out projects without people paying their taxes,” the minister told journalists after inspecting infrastructure projects in the Wuse and Lifecamp areas.
He expressed frustration with the compliance culture, stating, “It’s unfortunate that most Nigerians who complain don’t want to abide by the rules.”
“If you don’t go and enforce it, nobody will pay. So, we believe that this is the last time. We are not going to extend any further,” he added.
Enforcement Plan: Sealing and Revocation
Outlining the next steps, Mr Wike said the FCT Administration would move to seal properties and reclaim the land.
“If you have not paid, we will seal up the premises and the property then becomes the property of the FCT Administration,” he stated.
The ground rent is a mandatory annual fee paid by property owners on land leased from the FCTA. The revenue is considered crucial for funding infrastructure development and public services in the territory.
Minister Satisfied with Road Projects
During the inspection tour, the minister visited key projects, including the Transit Way N2 connecting the Central Business District to Wuse District and the Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) from Life Camp Junction to Karmo.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of work.
The contractor for the N2 project, Levante Construction Ltd, assured the minister that the road would be completed by the first week of June 2026. Mr Wike noted this project was being funded through emergency financing.
At the Arterial Road N5, being constructed by Julius Berger PLC, the minister was told the project would be handed over by the end of January 2026. He assured that this project was adequately provided for in the FCT’s 2025 budget.
Responding to questions on newly commissioned bus terminals, Mr Wike explained that the process of selecting operators was ongoing through procurement.
“We believe by the grace of God, by the end of the year, that would have been rounded up,” he said, emphasising the need to follow due process.
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