Abuja: The Federal Capital Administration (FCTA) has taken decisive action by sealing properties including the Federal Internal Revenue Service (FIRS), Access Bank, and Total Energy in Wuse due to unpaid ground rent. The FCTA also targeted the Chinese Cultural Centre, operated by Jade Garden Restaurants, which has not paid ground rent for 19 years.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Director of Land at FCTA, Mr. Chijoke Nwankwoeze, stated during the operation in Abuja that these properties have now reverted to the FCTA. This action is the beginning of a larger initiative to take possession of over 4,794 properties revoked by the FCTA for unpaid ground rent, totaling more than N6 billion.
The FIRS building, situated on Plot 627 in Wuse Zone 5, has allegedly been in arrears for 25 years. Similarly, the Access Bank building on Plot No. 2456, Wuse I, Cadastral Zone A02, Abuja, belonging to Rana Tahir Furniture Nig. Ltd, has reportedly not paid ground rent for 34 years.
Earlier in the day, the enforcement team sealed the Total Energy Petrol Station on Plot 534 Cadastral Zone A02 Wuse Zone 1, which is owned by Total PLC, for unpaid ground rent exceeding 10 years. Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, Director of Development Control, who led the task force, emphasized that the action was a move to reclaim properties that had been revoked in March.
Galadima reiterated the FCTA’s decision to repossess more than 4,000 properties in the territory for non-payment of ground rent for over a decade. He confirmed that the operation commenced with the sealing of Plot 534, owned by Total PLC.
Additionally, the premises of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons on Plot 2028, Dalaba Street, Wuse, owned by Nigeria Sugar Company Ltd, was sealed for the same reason. Grand Ibro Hotel, located on Plot 2359, Wuse Zone 5, owned by Dubabi and Company, and Mamuda Group Warehouse were also sealed due to unpaid ground rent spanning 26 years.
However, shortly after the FIRS premises were sealed, the seals were reportedly removed, which Galadima described as a criminal act, indicating that the FCTA plans to pursue legal action.