…clarify issues on ground rent revocations
The Federal Capital Territory Executive Committee (EXCO) convened on Wednesday, March 18, 2025 at the official residence of the FCT Minister in Life Camp, Abuja, where several critical contracts totaling the sum of N2,183,399,860 were approved.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the meeting, the Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Chief Felix Obuah, announced that the EXCO approved the procurement of essential earth-moving machinery and equipment for the Development Control Department to enhance its operational efficiency.
The Coordinator disclosed that a firm, Mantrac Nigeria Ltd. was awarded the contract, at the sum of N1,940,572,410, to supply five CAT earthmoving equipment, with a delivery period of three weeks. He listed the earthmoving equipment to include one CAT wheel loader 950 GC, one Excavator 320GS, one CAT excavator GS23 and one Doxa B61.
The Acting Executive Chairman, FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) Mr. Michael Ango, reported the EXCO’s approval for the procurement of Microsoft 365 licenses, amounting to N242,827,450. This investment in technology, he explained, aims to automate manual processes, improve internal communication, reduce paper usage, and enhance data management through cloud storage. He said the initiative is a part of the FCT’s broader strategy to boost revenue generation and collection.
Addressing the recent revocation of titles due to unpaid ground rents in the FCT, the Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze explained that the revocation affected those with outstanding payments of ten years or more. He said a 21-day window has been provided for those owing ground rent for one to ten years to settle their dues.
The Director, while emphasizing the FCTA’s commitment to providing essential infrastructure and services in its districts, urged leaseholders to fulfill their ground rent obligations to ensure the continued development and maintenance of the city. He further stated that Phase 2 Districts of the FCT, including Mabushi, Jabi, Dakibiyu, Katampe, Katampe extension, and Kado, will soon be addressed regarding unpaid ground rent.
Speaking on issues regarding the revocation of the tile belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Director stated that only one property belonging to the PDP, located in the Central Area, was affected by the revocation due to 28 years of unpaid ground rent, totaling N7,603,504.31 .
He said the property in Zone 5, currently occupied by the PDP’s national headquarters, belongs to Senator Samaila Mamman, Kurfi who bought the property from Wadata Enterprises Nigeria Limited .
He said, “People are telling me that we are revoking two properties belonging to PDP. That’s not true. It’s only one that belongs to the PDP – the one in the Central Area that they are owing 20 years, from 2006 to 2025. The one in Zone 5 where they are occupying as their national headquarters does not belong to PDP. It belongs to Samaila Mamman Kurfi and the revocation notice has been served on his Kaduna State address, the address on record.
“We did not serve any such notice to the PDP. The only one we served on them was the one of Central Area. You don’t serve a revocation notice on a tenant or any occupier. You serve on the title holder, that’s what the law says. So, for clarity purposes, it’s only one property owned by the PDP that was revoked under the circumstance”.
The Director further clarified that the revocation exercise was not targeted specifically at the PDP, stressing that the 4,794 affected titles, include those belonging to various government institutions, private organizations, and individuals.
Notable entities affected, according to him, include the Nigerian Ports Authority, Central Bank of Nigeria, INEC, National Uiversities Commission (NUC), NNPC, Conoil, Borno State Government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, among others.
He urged all property owners to ensure timely payment of ground rents and other associated fees to avoid further revocations
“Everybody should go and pay his ground rent. I also want to remind you that that is not the only obligation you have under the grant. You also need to pay your Right of Occupancy bills and get your certificate. These are things that are very important for all allottees”, he stressed.
As part of his activities for the day, the FCT Minister again, visited the Gishiri community to resolve the issues surrounding compensation and resettlement for residents whose structures are affected by the construction of the N16 road passing through the community.
