The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that Abuja property owners owe over N300bn in unpaid Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) fees.
Wike made this known during a media parley held at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja, on Sunday night.
According to the minister, his administration’s aggressive revenue drive has increased the FCT’s monthly revenue from around N9bn when he assumed office in August 2023 to an average of N25bn per month. He noted that the FCT recorded an impressive N40bn in revenue for December 2024 alone.
The minister attributed the revenue surge to improved ground rent collection and payments for Certificates of Occupancy by land allottees.
He stressed the importance of consistent tax compliance to sustain infrastructure development in the nation’s capital.
“We don’t get up to N13bn from VAT and the 1% from the Federal Government. So, we have to augment the internally generated revenue to be able to pay salaries because of the new wages,” Wike stated.
He further explained: “At the time I came, we were generating about N9bn to N10bn. Today, by the grace of God, we are not generating less than N25bn a month. In fact, last month, we generated about N40bn.
“It is because of our aggressive revenue drive. In fact, last month, we were able to generate about 40 something billion naira. Aggressive revenue drive to be able to carry out infrastructure,” he said.
Wike questioned whether Abuja residents were satisfied with the level of development in relation to the taxes they pay, adding that his administration remains committed to delivering results but acknowledged that more work needs to be done.
“It must be from taxes and when taxes are not paid how do we get development?” he asked.
“In your conscience, can you say that the FCT is justifying the revenue or the taxes you are paying? Yes, it is correct. We can beat our taxes to say we are doing that but it is not enough,” he added.
NewsNGR reported that the minister had on Thursday, January 16, revoked the land allocations of some governors and 563 other defaulters over unpaid C of O fees.
According to Lere Olayinka, Wike’s media aide, the Right of Occupancy (R of O) withdrawals followed the expiration of a two-week grace period initially extended to 762 defaulters.
Olayinka noted that in October 2024, a total of 3,273 landowners were given two weeks to settle their debts or risk losing their R of O titles. While 2,511 complied, 762 defaulters were granted an additional grace period. However, by January 15, only 194 had paid their outstanding fees, leading to the revocation of the remaining 568 plots.
Olayinka said, “It should be recalled that in early October 2024, a total of 3,273 were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their R-of-O titles, out of which 2,511 complied, leaving 762. The 762 allottees were further allowed another grace of two weeks to pay, but as at January 15, this year, 12 days after the expiration of the weeks, only 194 paid, leaving 568.”