ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that his administration is considering a review and possible increase in ground rent payments.
He described widespread tax evasion, particularly the refusal to pay ground rent, as his greatest challenge in office.
The FCT Administration, on Monday, began sealing properties belonging to ground rent defaulters.
Among those affected were the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), a branch of Access Bank, and a TotalEnergies filling station.
The sealing exercise triggered backlash from the PDP and FIRS, with both organisations condemning the move by the Wike-led administration as “unprofessional” and “an affront to the country’s democracy.”
In response, President Bola Tinubu intervened, offering a 14-day grace period for defaulters to settle outstanding payments, along with penalties ranging from N2 million to N3 million, depending on the property’s location in the FCT.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday after inspecting several ongoing projects in Abuja, Wike criticised residents who demand infrastructure but fail to fulfil their civic responsibilities.
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“My greatest challenge is the refusal of people to pay what they owe. I will elaborate on this in the next media chat. People want facilities, they want infrastructure, but nobody asks where the funds come from. Abuja is not an oil-producing city; we rely solely on taxes. These are not new taxes; they have been in place for years,” he said.
Wike expressed concern that some residents owe as much as 20 years in unpaid ground rent, despite the rates remaining unchanged for years.
“It is unfortunate that many elites own houses overseas. They understand the consequences of not paying taxes abroad — such properties can be forfeited. Yet, when it comes to their own country, they refuse to comply simply because they believe there are no sanctions,” he stated.
“Look at the arrears — 20, 30 years. And how much is it? We have not increased the ground rent, but we are working towards that, and I can assure you we will do so. The President has granted a two-week waiver. Let no one think that blackmail or intimidation will deter us; we will do what is necessary.”
The minister also revealed that he has recently signed over 1,500 Certificates of Occupancy and Deeds of Assignment.
He reiterated his call for residents to meet their tax obligations, stressing its direct impact on development in the capital city.
“If you pay your taxes, you will see the difference it makes. That is what we are striving to achieve,” he added.