FCTA TO ENFORCE COMPLIANCE ON LAND USE CONTRAVENTIONS, OTHERS

By: RABI MUSA UMAR

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has stated that it will start enforcing compliance on residents who have contravened land use, and those defaulting on ground rent as well.

This was part of the decisions taken at the FCT Executive Committee Meeting today, March 2, 2026, chaired by the FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, at his official residence in Life Camp.

Speaking with journalists after the event, the Director of the Department of Lands Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, pointed out that the Administration had given defaulters ample time to comply with the Administration’s directive, hence the need to take action on non-compliance.

Mr. Nwankwoeze further gave an update on the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy in the Federal Capital Territory. He announced that the process of issuing the C of O had greatly improved.

“Unlike before when it took years or even decades, in the current dispensation, C of O issuance is possible in as short as one week. The Minister does not waste time in signing the C of Os. Once we send the C of Os to him, within two days, they are back”, he revealed.

He went on to unravel the underlying causes of delay in C of O processing, including non-submission of passport photos and refusal to accept or decline the offer of Rights of Occupancy within the stipulated time of 21 days. The Director, Lands, also identified other causes of C of O delay to include non-confirmation of Remita payments and the use of unverifiable addresses, such as P. O. Box, which are not actual physical locations.

Meanwhile, a total of three memoranda were presented and ratified by the committee. These are: approval for the purchase of diesel for waste disposal and management plants at four districts in the FCT, ratification and procurement of food and non-food items for victims of flood-affected areas in the FCT, and the approval and ratification of the contract for the supply of communication gadgets and other equipment for the support of FCT security agencies.

Elaborating on the memoranda, the Coordinator, AMMC, Chief Felix Obuah, said that the purchase of diesel for waste disposal and management plants in Mabushi, Jabi, Durumi, and Wuye districts was at the cost of N7,300,000,000.

On his part, Director, FCT Department of Procurement, Alhaji Musa Idris, revealed that the supply of communication gadgets and other equipment for FCT security agencies cost the administration N1,133,802,500. He stated that the essence of the procurement was to support the agencies in their assignments of securing the FCT.

Also addressing journalists, Chief of Staff to the Minister, Hon Chidi Amadi, expressed appreciation to the media for its consistency in the reportage of the policies and programmes of the FCT Administration.