THE FEDERAL Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved a series of sanctions for property allottees and title holders found to be in contravention of the Land Use Act.
This approval was granted on Tuesday when the minister received a report from a special committee established to investigate abuses of the Act within the FCT.
A key measure includes the imposition of a N5 million fine on violators, payable within a 30-day period.
Wike also approved a 7.5 per cent charge on the Assessed Capital Value of properties that were converted without the knowledge or express permission of the FCT Administration. This fee is also to be paid within 30 days.
The minister stated that the sanctions are necessary to curb violations and generate revenue for infrastructure projects in the territory.
He emphasised that the administration would not hesitate to revoke titles and re-sell properties of those who fail to comply with the penalties.
“We are trying to raise money for the FCT,” the Minister said. “You have to pay the penalty and pay for the conversion; they are two things… If you don’t, we will take back your title, we will sell it, we will still raise money.”
He noted that specific zones are designated for residential or commercial purposes, and the unauthorised alteration of a property’s designated use is a breach of the original agreement.
The Chairman of the Land Use and Purposes Clause Committee, Mukhtar Galadima, who is also the Director of Development Control, presented the committee’s findings.
He reported that numerous properties in areas such as Ademola Adetokunbo Street, Aminu Kano Crescent, Yakubu Gowon Street, and Gana Street had been illegally converted from their original purposes to residential, commercial, or mixed uses.
Mr. Galadima stated that the total capital value of the affected properties amounts to N1,037,478,716,500.
The committee recommended several sanctions for defaulting title holders, including the sealing of properties, removal of unauthorised structures, and the outright revocation of titles should they fail to pay the stipulated fines.
The committee’s formal recommendations include payment of a Land Use Conversion fee of 7.5% of the assessed capital value within 30 days of notification; payment of applicable statutory Right of Occupancy bills for the new land use purpose, and; payment of a 2.0 per cent fee on the assessed capital value for any established illegal extension, merger, or subdivision of property, also payable within 30 days.
