The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has again issued a fresh warning to all property owners in Abuja.
Wike while speaking during his monthly media chat with select journalists in Abuja said the FCT Administration will seal up properties within the territory over owners’ failure to pay ground rent.
He also stated that despite the period of grace handed to property owners by the president, no efforts are being made towards clearing these debts.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu has appealed to the Minister and the FCTA to allow property owners two weeks to clear their delayed ground rent payment.
“Mr. President said two weeks, we are more than three months [since the grace period]. That is Nigeria for you.
“We have just finished a programme. I am going to seal up all those properties; I’m going to seal them up,” Wike said.
The minister, however, stated that the FCTA would no longer tolerate non-payment of taxes by property owners.
“You can’t deny us the taxes we use for development. Pay us the taxes that you are supposed to pay, you said, ‘No’.
“We have listened to Mr. President. In his wisdom, he said, ‘Give them two weeks, give them two months.’ We have done that.
“Some have done that. Some have refused to comply. If you have not complied, if you have not paid, we are going to seal it up. This is what we cannot continue to allow in this country,” Wike added.