KEY POINTS

• Over unpaid ground rent, FCTA plans to begin acquiring 4,794 properties from May 26.
• Wadata Plaza, CBN, INEC, NNPC and several other significant institutions are included in the cyberattack.
• Undisturbed by any court injunctions, efforts proceed under the cover of Section 28 of the Land Use Act.

The FCTA has said it will start taking over 4,794 properties in major districts of Abuja beginning on May 26, because of unpaid ground rents that range from 10 to 43 years.

Officials at an Abuja press briefing on Friday confirmed that properties involved in the deal now belong to the government once more.

Many important properties suffered damage

Wadata Plaza (previously the PDP Secretariat), central bank buildings, NNPC properties, INEC offices and various agencies of the federal government and state governments are all listed among the properties facing repossession.

According to reports, the Wadata Plaza property still owes N2.84 million in past unpaid ground rent to the government, although only the PDP continues to use the facility.

The takeover will not be delayed

Officials affirmed that ownership status is not important for the repossession and the process will obey the rules set out in the Land Use Act. He pointed out that the teams will start sealing affected buildings  from tha ground rent default and banning people from going there.

Mr. Nwankwoeze explained that the authority already gave some defaulting citizens up to 21 days to pay earlier this year and now they are finalizing the records to take action. No court order has been given to stop the takeover, he pointed out.

Law-based enforcement as regards ground rent default

Acting in compliance with Section 28 of the Land Use Act, land can be taken away for failure to comply with occupancy terms, including paying rent annually. The collection is present in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, Garki, Guzape and the Central Area.

According to FCTA, 8,375 property owners in Abuja owe a total of N6.96 billion in debt.