The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a stern warning to land title holders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), threatening to revoke any land titles for failure to pay the required fees for processing Certificates of Occupancy (Cs-of-O).
In a statement released by the Director of Information and Communication, Muhammad Hazat Sule, the FCTA expressed concern over the widespread non-payment of processing fees by landholders who have been granted Rights of Occupancy (Rs-of-O). To address this issue, the FCTA has given a four-month ultimatum for all land title holders to pay for their Cs-of-O or risk having their titles revoked in accordance with existing land administration laws.
FCTA Cracks Down on Non-Compliance:
The FCTA lamented that the failure of landholders to pay the necessary fees is not only a violation of the Land Use Act but also hinders the government’s ability to provide essential services, including critical infrastructure development within the FCT. The administration emphasized that this non-compliance has fueled unchecked land speculation, negatively impacting the region’s growth.
READ ALSO: Discriminatory Landlord Practices Deepen Nigeria’s Housing Crisis
To combat this, the FCTA has taken decisive steps to ensure that only genuine land developers are allocated land in the FCT. The statement highlighted that the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has approved the enforcement of this policy.
READ ALSO: Surveyors Applaud Governor Mbah’s Land Reforms in Enugu
No More Free Rides:
Moving forward, no new Rights of Occupancy will be issued until allottees have paid the required fees and provided proof of payment, which will be verified by the Land Administration Department. The FCTA has directed all relevant departments to immediately implement these ministerial directives to curb the ongoing issues and ensure compliance with the law.