Wike slams N5m fine, 7.5% property 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 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.”
Wike said that if such people are not sanctioned,they would continue to default.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Land Use and Purposes Clause committee, Mukhtar Galadima, said the committee found that many properties in some areas have been converted from their original purposes.
Galadima who is also the Director Development Control,listed such areas as: Ademola Adetokunbo Street, Aminu Kano Crescent, Yakubu Gowon Street, Gana Street, among others.
“Those properties have been converted to residential, commercial or mixed usage, contravening the original agreements.
“The total capital value of the said properties amounted to N1,037,478,716,500.”
Galadima recommended various sanctions on the defaulting title holders, including sealing of property, removal of buildings and structures, revocation, and withdrawal of titles, if they failed to pay the fines.
“The Committee hereby recommends as follows: That, allottees/title holders of land and properties affected by the land use change/conversion, pay within 30 days from the date of conveyance of approval.
“They will also pay the Land Use Conversion fee of 7.5% of the assessed Capital Value of the properties as contained in the Schedule/Valuation Report Sheet.
“That, allottees/title holders of the land and properties affected by the land use change/conversion, in addition to payment of Land Use Conversion fee, pay statutory Right of Occupancy bills applicable for the new land use/purpose clause and as charged for the District;
“That, where illegal/unapproved extension, merger and subdivision has been established, the allottee/title holder of the property,pay within 30 days from the date of conveyance of approval”
Galadima said that extension/merger/ subdivision fee of the extant 2.0 per cent of the assessed Capital Value of the properties as contained in the Schedule/Valuation Report Sheet would also be paid.