NOSA EGHAGHA
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike, said that he has saved N110 billion for the administration in three months.
This is as he expressed displeasure over the rate at which fake Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), are being issued to unsuspecting Nigerians.
Wike stated this while a addressing estate developers at a high-level meeting in Abuja.
The Minister blamed the spate of fake Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) on some bad eggs in the FCTA.
Speaking further the Minister announced the henceforth, owners of properties will pay N5 million to acquire their C of O.
He also revealed plans to seek President Bola Tinubu’s permission to add National Identification Number (NIN) to any C of O that would be given by his administration.
Wike said it will no longer business as usual, where three or more poeple will be allocated the same plot of land with fake C of O.
The Minister gave example of when as governor of Rivers State, was given a fake C of O by some officials of the FCTA.
He also faulted the payment of N8.9 billion as monthly salary FCTA, FCDA workers.
The developers unanimously on their part pleaded with the Minister to reduce the N5 million payment for C of O.
After intensive appeal by the developers, the minister said the payment can be made within four months after which the C of O can be handed over to the applicant.
He said: “I have saved N110 billion for FCTA since my assumption of office three months ago.
“Allocation of lands to three more persons will no longer be allowed. C of O enables you to do business.
“When we take the right decision some poeple will be happy some will not. We are ready for such fight.
“When I was governor of Rivers State, 3 C of Os were given by FCT on my land and we later discovered that the C of Os given to us where fake after we have paid N57 million for the lands.
“I will seek president permission to link any C of O to NIN number. The rich men will kick against it but anything that will help our people must be done.
“Support this moves. You will attest to the fact that there are changes. How will you feel that at the end of the day you have a C of O but it is fake. Over 10 years some poeple have not paid now the 5 million lookes big for them
“Do you known that FCTA workers salary is N8. 9 billion monthly. I was shocked about this. The 2024 nation budget of FCT is N17 billion.
“We are trying to provide a city that is to be proud of. We have considered that we will spread it by four months to pay the N5 million.
