The push by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to reshape Abuja has led to the recovery of ₦1.9 billion.
This recovery, coming less than one month, was made from Abuja landowners owing rent.
This was disclosed by the acting director of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), Isiaku Ndatsu Alfa.
Wike had vowed to collect ground rent from defaulting owners of landed properties in Abuja.
Transportation Scheme Failure
The minister made the vow on Tuesday, September 5, while receiving visitors from the ad hoc committee investigating the failure of the Abuja mass transportation scheme.
The former Rivers Governor disclosed that the outstanding ground rent is about ₦34 billion.
Ground rent is a tax charged by the FCTA on landed properties in the nation’s capital.
Giving an update on the matter, Alfa said the AGIS has become a beehive of activities.
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This is as property owners rush to pay their debts before the deadline issued by the Minister so as to avoid revocation of their property.
Surge In Payments
The acting director of AGIS said there has been a surge in payment of ground rents since the minister threatened revocation and commenced publication of the debtors. names.
According to him, after Wike’s order, ground rent earnings rose to ₦500 million and increased steadily to over ₦1 billion.
He said by September 17, ground rents had generated precisely ₦1.9 billion.
Also, the figure is estimated to double by the end of the month.
While praising Wike for his initiative, Alfa revealed the plan introduction of an online payment portal.
The portal will be for the collection of ground rents, certificate of occupancy (C of O), and others, transactions.
To Alfa, it would be easier, and more money would be recovered by AGIS.
