Wike Revokes 21 New Plots Of Land In Abuja, Gives Reason; Issues Ultimatum To Embassies, Others

By Babatunde Solanke

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revoked 21 plots of land in the Central Business District (CBD) of Abuja.

In the revocation notice signed which Olusade Adesola, the Permanent Secretary in the FCT Administration, signed on his behalf, Wike explained that the lands were revoked for continued contravention of the terms of development of the Right of Occupancy to wit non-development.

He added that the decision was taken “in the exercise of the powers conferred on him under Section 28(5)(a) & (b) of the Land Use Act 1978”.

Wike also approved a three-month grace period for 189 titleholders, who have obtained building plan approvals but are yet to commence development on their property.

In a statement signed by the Director of Information and Communication of the FCTA, Mohammed Hazat, the minister asked the affected property owners to do so within the stipulated period or have their title revoked in line with the provisions of the law.

“Similarly, public institutions that have land titles within the Federal Capital City but are yet to develop same, have also been given a grace period of three months to commence development in order to avoid sanction.”

“Thus, the Minister has extended this gesture to 189 property owners due to their desire to develop the property by obtaining Building Plan Approvals which is a prerequisite for development of any property in the Federal Capital Territory.

“The notification in the Newspapers states: “The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), has graciously approved a grace period of three-months from the date of this publication for the underlisted titleholders who have obtained building plan approvals to commence development of their plots; failure of which their titles shall be revoked for continued contravention of the terms of development of the Right- of-Occupancy.

“The owners of these plots were exempted from revocation because they have already demonstrated firm commitment towards developing their property by obtaining necessary documents from the FCT Administration.”

The statement urged the affected property owners to take advantage of the Minister’s gesture and develop their plots as published in some National Dailies, in line with the terms of Offer of the Right- Of- Occupancy.

 “The FCT Administration, therefore, appealed to the affected Public Institutions who have been allocated plots within the FCC to commence development of their plots, failure of which their titles shall be revoked for continued contravention of the terms of development of the Right of Occupancy.

“The plots in these categories belong to individuals and corporate organizations, as well as Public Institutions who have continually failed to keep to the terms of agreement as contained in Section 28(5) (a) & (b) of the Land Use Act offering and conveying of the Right of Occupancy,” the statement added.