Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has announced that all revoked lands will be reallocated after January 3, following the expiration of the grace period granted to affected allottees.
Wike made this declaration on Tuesday while inspecting the construction of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, and Saburi I and II roads in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Wike had on December 20, given owners of 762 revoked plots in Maitama a two-week grace period to settle the payment for their Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
The affected plots, located in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, must be paid for by January 3 to avoid final revocation.
When asked if the grace period would be extended, the minister firmly responded, “We will not. I don’t think we will want to give another grace. After it expires, we will reallocate those lands to others who are interested.”
Wike highlighted the issue of non-compliance with land laws, noting that the allocations were made more than a decade ago.
He explained that the list of defaulters was compiled by the previous administration and that the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) simply updated the data.
The minister emphasized that the Right of Occupancy (RoO) is a land allocation, and allottees are required to pay for their C of O.
He further explained that if an allottee had paid, they would have a receipt to show for it.
“If you don’t have the C of O, it means you haven’t paid,” Wike asserted, adding that those who could prove payment with receipts would be provided a remedy.
Wike also clarified that the FCT’s primary concern is not reclaiming the land but ensuring that allottees fulfill their financial obligations so that the funds can be used for vital infrastructure projects, particularly road construction.
“Our interest is not to take the lands back; our interest is for the allottees to pay so that we can use the funds for the development of the FCT,” Wike explained.
“How do we get roads done without people complying and paying?” he asked.
