Abuja: Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned that property owners who default on ground rent payments risk having their assets forfeited as the administration intensifies efforts to boost revenue and enforce compliance.
Wike gave the warning in Abuja on Monday, shortly after inspecting ongoing key infrastructure projects in the Wuse and Life Camp areas of the FCT, while addressing journalists.
The Minister, who said that there would be no further extension on the payment deadline, reminded defaulters that enforcement would begin on Wednesday.
He explained that the two-week and Presidential grace periods granted to defaulters four months ago had long elapsed, stressing that this was the last opportunity for defaulters to pay.
According to him, it is regrettable that most Nigerians who complain do not want to abide by the rules.
“You realise that when we started this enforcement, we also had a presidential intervention to give them two to three weeks more.
“It is more than four months now, and we cannot carry out projects without people paying their taxes.
“We also made publications about extending the deadline, and of course, you know they like to rush. 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.”
Speaking on the format the enforcement would take, Wike said officials of the FCTA would seal up the premises of defaulters, while the properties would revert to the FCT Administration.
“If you have not paid, we will seal up the premises and the property then becomes the property of the FCT Administration”, he explained.
While providing updates on the infrastructure projects inspected, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of work and noted the contractors’ assurances of timely completion.
The first site we visited is the construction of road N2, which connects the Central Area to Wuse and is being carried out by Levante Construction Ltd. The work is ongoing.
“The contractors assured us that by the end of May next year, they would have completed that very key road connecting the Central Area to Wuse.
“We also went to Arterial Road N5, which Julius Berger is handling.
“For those of you familiar with this project, we have been here several times when the connecting bridge was ongoing,” he said.
Wike said Julius Berger promised that the project would be delivered by the end of January 2026.
“We are delighted with the quality of the job done. In fact, where we are standing is amazing.
“So, we are happy that they have gone this far, ” he added.
The Minister disclosed that Transit Way N2 was being executed through emergency funding.
He also assured adequate funding for the Arterial Road N5 in the FCT’s 2025 budget.
Responding to questions about when the commissioned bus terminals would become fully operational, the Minister explained that the selection of operators was ongoing.