Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has granted a grace of two-week for landowners in Abuja’s Maitama District to settle their outstanding payments for Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O).

According to a statement on Friday, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the extension affects 614 individuals and organisations who have yet to comply with previous payment notices.

 This announcement follows a previous notice on October 5, 2024, where 3, 273 allottees were warned about unpaid fees; of which only 2, 511 complied. Wike emphasised that the goal is not to dispossess landowners but to ensure compliance with payment obligations, with the final deadline set for January 3, 2025.

The statement read: “It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, list of 3, 273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O were published. They were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.

“Yesterday (Thursday), notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published.

“Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two weeks’ grace has been given.

“Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025 to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.

“After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”

The Sun