Wike Mulls Hike In Ground Rent For Abuja Property Owners

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that his administration was contemplating a rise in ground rent payments, highlighting the refusal to pay the ground rent and other taxes as the biggest challenge during his tenure.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the FCT administration earlier in the week started sealing properties belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Agency for Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), a branch of Access Bank, and a TotalEnergies filling station over failure to pay ground rents over time.

However, President Bola Tinubu intervened, granting a 14-day grace period for the payment of the owed sums and penalties ranging between N2 million and N3 million, depending on locations within the FCT.

Wike, while addressing journalists on Wednesday after inspecting ongoing projects in Abuja, lamented that residents have failed to support the government by paying taxes.

He added that many debtors owe as much as 20 years in ground rents despite the rates remaining unchanged for many years.

“My greatest challenge is the refusal of people to pay what they owe. I will elaborate on this in the next media chat. People want facilities, they want infrastructure, but nobody asks where the funds come from. Abuja is not an oil-producing city; we rely solely on taxes. These are not new taxes; they have been in place for years.

“It is unfortunate that many elites own houses overseas. They understand the consequences of not paying taxes abroad — such properties can be forfeited. Yet, when it comes to their own country, they refuse to comply simply because they believe there are no sanctions.

“Look at the arrears — 20, 30 years. And how much is it? We have not increased the ground rent, but we are working towards that, and I can assure you we will do so.

“The President has granted a two-week waiver. Let no one think that blackmail or intimidation will deter us; we will do what is necessary,” he stated.

The minister also disclosed that he had recently signed over 1,500 Certificates of Occupancy and Deeds of Assignment, while again urging residents to pay their taxes and ground rents to support development in the FCT.

“If you pay your taxes, you will see the difference it makes. That is what we are striving to achieve,” he added.