FCTA to commence compliance enforcement on land use, ground rent
Federal Capital Territory Administration to Enforce Land Use Compliance
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will begin enforcing compliance among residents who violate land use regulations or default on ground rent, following decisions made at the recent FCT Executive Committee meeting.
Chaired by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the meeting convened Monday at his official residence in Life Camp. Afterward, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of the Department of Lands Administration, addressed journalists, stating that the administration had previously provided defaulters with ample time to adhere to its directives.
Nwankwoeze also provided updates on the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), noting significant improvements in the processing timeline. “In the current administration, it is possible to issue a C of O in as little as one week. The Minister expeditiously signs off on them,” he said. He reported that approvals are often returned within two days.
However, he acknowledged that delays in C of O processing can arise from several factors, including the failure to submit passport photographs and the failure to accept or decline offers of Rights of Occupancy within the stipulated 21-day period. Additional causes involve unverified Remita payments and the use of P.O. Box addresses, which do not correspond to actual physical locations.
During the meeting, the committee approved three key memoranda. These include funding for the purchase of diesel for waste disposal and management operations across four districts, procurement of food and non-food items for victims of recent floods, and a contract for the supply of communication equipment to enhance support for security agencies in the FCT.
Chief Felix Obuah, Coordinator of the Abuja Municipal Management Council (AMMC), announced that the diesel procurement for the waste disposal plants in Mabushi, Jabi, Durumi, and Wuye districts will cost approximately N7.3 billion. Alhaji Musa Idris, Director of the FCT Department of Procurement, disclosed that the contract for communication gadgets and equipment totals N1.13 billion, aimed at bolstering the security agencies’ operational effectiveness.
Chidi Amadi, Chief of Staff to the Minister, expressed gratitude towards the media for its diligence in reporting on the FCTA’s policies and programs.
