….. “we have leaders that don’t care for others but themselves. This is pure extortion “
Shortly after details of the meeting between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike with Estate Developers and Resident Associations on Tuesday in Abuja was made public, property owners mainly in high density areas have cried out saying theN5million pegged on Certificate of Occupancy ( Cof O) ‘is unreasonable and insensitive given the current economic situation in the country”.
The FCT Minister had in his bid to sanitise the process of issuance of C of O which he observed as enmeshed in a lot of controversy imposed a N5 million levy for C of O and also approved a period of 4- months within which owners of properties were expected to pay the money.
Wike who said said that his ministry as a non – oil state,relied on revenue generation for development activities warned that the 4- month period of C of O payment would not be extended.
However, property owners have reacted to the Minister’s 22- paragraph statement issued by Anthony Ogunleye,his Director Press which reads;
FCT MINISTER MEETS WITH ESTATE DEVELOPERS, RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS
…VOWS TO SANITIZE THE PROCESS OF C OF O ISSUANCE
- Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has reiterated the resolve of the FCT Administration to sanitize the process of issuing Certificate of Occupancy, C of O in the FCT.
- The FCT Minister stated this during an interactive session with Estate Developers and Residents’ Associations in the FCT at the FCDA Conference Hall in Abuja on Tuesday, November 21, 2023.
- In his opening remarks the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Land, urban and Regional Planning who is also the Chairman of the Ministerial Task Force on Issuance of C of O for Mass Housing and the Recovery of Land Use Contravention fees said the meeting was called at the behest of the FCT Minister in order to resolve disagreement between the Task Force and the developers and residents’ association for the payment of N5 million Naira as fees for the collection of C of Os.
- The FCT Minister lamented that the issuance of C of O in the FCT was enmeshed in a lot of controversy which sometimes led to crises. He said, “One of the reasons I have stopped signing is because I don’t trust those C of Os they are bringing for me to sign. I don’t want to sign a C of O that has been given to another person.”
- He therefore vowed that very tough decisions will be taken to resolve the crisis and restore the integrity of the system, however after consideration of requests raised by residents at the meeting, Barrister Wike extended the period of time to pay for the C of O from 3 to 4 months,
- He reminded the participants at the meeting, that the FCT as a non-oil State relies on revenue generation for development activities and warned that the four-month period would not be extended.
- He said, “I want to stand firm and tell you this; I’ve ended at four months. It will not go beyond four months.”
- On the suggestion by the residents that the flat rate of N5 million for the issuance of C of Os should be reviewed to reflect the size and location of the property, the Minister insisted that a C of O is a business and security document which is not necessarily graded according to the size of the property or its location, and insisted that a flat rate of N5 million must be paid for its collection. He however hinted at the possibility of a review of this sum.
- He said, “If you want to have a C of O, which is a security and business document, it is not graded based on one bedroom flat or two-bedroom flat.
- The Minister also stated that he will seek the approval of the President for C of Os to be linked to the National Identity Number, NIN for ease of identification and other issues of taxation and security.
- Also speaking on the prudence adopted in the management of finances, Barrister Wike revealed that the FCT Administration in the last three months has saved not less than N110 billion for the FCT.
- He said the money will be attached to projects to accelerate their completion.
- The Minister said, “Three months in office, I can tell you authoritatively, I have saved not less than N110 billion for FCT and this money will be attached to projects so that people will see indeed that the taxes we are paying is being utilized for the interest of the people”.
- He also disclosed that the FCT would be rolling out its buses and taxi scheme in the next one month, adding that the menace of one-chance would soon be a thing of the past in the FCT
- “These buses and taxis will ply all the routes in Asokoro, Maitama, we are kicking out Keke Napep at least in these areas. Some of these Keke Napep are agents of criminals”, Barrister Wike said.
- As part of plans to create more infrastructure in the Area Councils and discourage people from migration into the city, the Minister said, “If we have the buses, people will prefer to come from their areas and come to work and go back”.
- He therefore urged FCT residents to cooperate with the Administration by paying their taxes in order to improve service delivery.
- The Minister said, “It is painful but it’s an inconvenience that we must face.”
- In their separate remarks, the residents commended the FCT Minister over the steps he has taken to sanitize land administration in the FCT.
- While appealing for the review of the C of O fees, some residents also pleaded with the Minister to consider their plights as civil servants and retirees, who have taken mortgage facilities from the banks and such do not have the funds to pay for the C of Os.
- Other concerns raised by the residents also include the absence of infrastructure in the Estates, security related issues and other fraudulent practices by estate developers in connivance with some government officials.
- The meeting was attended by the Senior special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Land, Urban and Regional Planning, Estate Surveyor Michael Chinda, the Executive Director FCDA, Engr. Shehu Ahmad Hadi, Directors, Heads of Agencies and other senior officials of the FCT Administration.
ANTHONY OGUNLEYE
DIRECTOR OF PRESS
OFFICE OF THE HONOURABLE MINISTER
21/11/2023
Below are reactions from developers and residents of the FCT sampled by current matters on random vox pop
I”t is actually not realistic. It is a fact that the government needs funds to execute its programmes but it should not be at the detriment of the populace. Imagine extracting N5million from a retiree who’s pension cannot meet his/ her necessities of life. I think the Honourable Minister should have a rethink of the whole process,”owner of a 4 – duplex residential apartment told current matters
Another resident reacted ” What a country ‘ So a civil servant will spend their entire work life, save up and build or buy their retirement home, only to be told to pay N5million for C of O. A whole N5 million that back in the day could build a 2 bedroom bungalow. What a shame ‘ he exclaimed
A resident who told current matters that he owns a property in Lugbe remarked ” Many are still paying off the loans. I’m just imagining how people who struggled to buy a house in Lugbe,Mararaba etc will cough out N5 million for a C of O. Chaiiii. This is insensitive “, he said
For Demola,who claimed to be a retired civil servant ” This is indeed testing the will of the people to survive. Who told the minister that what he intends to do won’t damage the economy further and inflict more pains on the people? Sorry for this country, such a policy won’t revive the economy ” he said
Also reacting, Doris ( who preferred to be so called) queried the rationale for N5 million C of O levy.
She said ” How did the Honourable Minister arrive at N5 million? I thought there is a statutory amount per square meter for processing of C of O depending on the location. He has been misadvised. Aside being unreasonable, this is height of insensitivity given the current economic situation. I have no doubt that the minister will retrace his steps. He cannot further” impoverish the people he is even meant to provide with palliatives”
On his part, Abu,an entrepreneur who claimed to own a three – bedroom bungalow he bought over two decades lamented ” We have entered one chance. How can a government knowing the suffering of the people come up with this N5 million payment,? They have no regard that people are extremely poor now since the removal of fuel subsidy. What will it benefit the government to send the people they are meant to govern to their early graves? If the government has any milk of human kindness left, they should review this fee and extend the deadline. The fact that this is a cash and carry country doesn’t mean that we cannot do things right.” He said.
