Wike slams N5m fine, 7.5% charge on land defaulters

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved and imposed a N5m fine, payable within a period of 30 days, for allottees and land title holders who have contravened the Land Use Act in the FCT. Wike gave the approval after receiving a report from the committee set up to address the abuse of the Land Use […]

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved and imposed a N5m fine, payable within a period of 30 days, for allottees and land title holders who have contravened the Land Use Act in the FCT.

Wike gave the approval after receiving a report from the committee set up to address the abuse of the Land Use Act in the FCT, in his office, on Tuesday.

He also assented to a 7.5 per cent charge on the Assessed Capital Value of properties converted without the knowledge or express permission of the FCT administration, also payable within 30 days.

“I am not going to leave anybody to go free. We are looking for money to carry on projects. If you fall into our trap, it’s your business.

“We are trying to raise money for the FCT. But if you don’t want, we will take back your title, we will sell it, we will still raise money. You have to pay the penalty and pay for the conversion, they are two things.

“I am aware that certain areas are designated for residential, certain areas are designated for commercial.

“But people believing that they can do anything without approval from government have changed residential to commercial, some have changed commercial to residential, and some have changed for all kind of mixed uses.”