The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has delivered a stern two-week ultimatum to the owners of 762 plots of land in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja.
Failure to clear outstanding payments for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) by January 3, 2025, will result in the permanent revocation of their allocations.
This announcement was conveyed in a statement on Friday by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the FCT Minister. The Minister emphasized that the government’s primary objective is not to strip landowners of their properties but to ensure compliance with payment obligations.
The statement read; “It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, list of 3,273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O were published. They were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.
“Yesterday, notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published.
“Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two weeks grace has been given.
“Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025 to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
“After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”