Wike To Increase Ground Rent, Laments Tax Evasion In FCT

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that his administration is actively considering increasing ground rent payments.

Wike also identified the widespread refusal to pay ground rent and other taxes as his most significant obstacle.

The announcement follows a major enforcement drive by the FCT Administration (FCTA), which began sealing properties of ground rent defaulters on Monday.

Notable properties affected include the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Agency for Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), an Access Bank branch, and a TotalEnergies Filling Station.

The PDP leadership and the FIRS have publicly challenged these actions, labelling them “unprofessional” and “an affront to the country’s democracy.”

President Bola Tinubu intervened in the escalating situation, granting defaulters a 14-day ultimatum to settle all outstanding ground rent debts.

The directive also includes penalties ranging from N2 million to N3 million, depending on the property’s location within the FCT.

Wike addressed the issue while speaking to journalists after inspecting ongoing projects in Abuja, expressing deep frustration that residents demand infrastructure while being reluctant to fund it through taxes.

He said that many debtors owe ground rent for periods as long as 20 to 30 years, despite the rates remaining unchanged for decades.

“My greatest challenge is the challenge of people refusing to pay their money. I will speak on that in the next media chat. And people just want facilities, people want infrastructure.

“But nobody asks, where are you getting these funds? Abuja is not one of the oil cities; we only rely on taxes. These are not new taxes. These are taxes that have been here for years,” he said.

He criticised the Nigerian elite, contrasting their compliance abroad with their evasion at home.

“It is unfortunate that most of the elite own houses overseas. They know the implications of not paying taxes. They know such houses are gone.

“But when it comes to your own country, you don’t want to do that, simply because nobody wants to obey the law, everybody thinks there are no sanctions,” he said.

Addressing the long-standing debts and the potential for increased rates, Wike said, “Look at the years—20-something years, 30-something years. And how much is it? We have not increased the ground rent, but we are working towards that. We will do that, I can assure you.”

He reiterated his determination to enforce payment despite criticism, referencing the President’s ultimatum: “The President has given a waiver of two weeks. Let nobody think that blackmail or whatever will stop us. We will do what we are supposed to do.”

The minister also disclosed recent progress in land documentation, stating he had signed over 1,500 Certificates of Occupancy and Deeds of Assignment.

He further appealed to residents, urging them to fulfil their tax and ground rent obligations to support the FCT’s development.

“If you pay tax, you will see that it will be a different thing. And that’s what we are trying to do,” Wike said.