Wike Vows To Reallocate Revoked Lands After January 3 Deadline

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reiterated his commitment to reallocating all revoked lands in Maitama II District of Abuja, following the expiration of a two-week grace period for affected allottees to regularise their ownership.

The grace period, which will end on January 3, was announced on December 20, giving owners of 762 plots in Cadastral Zone A10 the opportunity to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C of Os).

Speaking during an inspection of ongoing projects, including the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, and the Saburi–Dei Dei Road on Tuesday, Wike confirmed that no further extensions would be granted.

“We will not [extend the grace period]. I don’t think we will want to give another grace,” he said. “After it expires, we will reallocate all those lands to other people who are interested.”

Wike expressed disappointment at the non-compliance of many Nigerians with land regulations, emphasising that the revoked plots were allocated over a decade ago.

“The list of defaulters was generated by the previous administration,” Wike explained. “The Land Department and the Abuja Geographic Information System compiled the data from the system.”

The minister clarified that landowners must pay for their C of O to validate their right of occupancy, stating: “Right of Occupancy is just an allocation of land. If the allottee has paid for the C of O, they will have a receipt. If you don’t have the C of O, it means you have not paid.”

He acknowledged that cases involving receipts as proof of payment would be addressed, saying, “If there are people who have paid, like some people say they have, and they have attached their receipt to show that they have paid, in such cases, yes, there will be a remedy.”

Wike highlighted the importance of land-related payments for funding development projects in the FCT.

“Our interest is not to have the lands back; our interest is for the allottees to pay so that we can use the fund for the development of the FCT,” he said.

Referencing ongoing road construction projects, Wike questioned how infrastructure could be completed without necessary funds. “Now, we are talking about roads. How do we get the roads done without people complying and paying?”

The minister emphasised that the FCT relies heavily on property taxes for its revenue, urging landowners to fulfill their obligations.