The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced plans to commence strict enforcement against residents who have violated land use regulations and those defaulting on ground rent payments within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The decision was reached during the FCT Executive Committee (Exco) meeting held on March 2, 2026, and chaired by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the Director of the Department of Lands Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, stated that the Administration had given sufficient time for affected individuals to comply with its directives.
According to him, the grace period has elapsed, necessitating enforcement measures against those who have failed to regularize their land documents or settle outstanding ground rents.
He further disclosed that the process for issuing Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) in the FCT has witnessed significant improvement under the current administration.
“Unlike in the past when obtaining a C of O could take years or even decades, the process can now be completed within one week.
The Honourable Minister signs C of Os promptly. Once submitted to him, they are returned within two days,” Nwankwoeze said.
The Director attributed previous delays in processing C of Os to several factors, including failure to submit passport photographs, refusal to accept or decline offers of Rights of Occupancy within the stipulated 21 days, non-confirmation of Remita payments, and the use of unverifiable addresses such as P.O. Box numbers instead of physical locations.
Meanwhile, the Committee considered and ratified three key memoranda during the session.
These include the approval for the purchase of diesel for waste disposal and management plants in Mabushi, Jabi, Durumi, and Wuye districts; ratification and procurement of food and non-food items for victims of flood-affected communities within the FCT; and the approval of a contract for the supply of communication gadgets and related equipment to support security agencies in the territory.
The Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Chief Felix Obuah, revealed that the diesel procurement for waste management facilities will cost N7.3 billion.
In a related development, the Director of the FCT Department of Procurement, Alhaji Musa Idris, disclosed that the contract for the supply of communication gadgets and other security equipment amounts to N1,133,802,500. He noted that the intervention is aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of security agencies tasked with safeguarding lives and property in the FCT.
Also speaking, the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Hon. Chidi Amadi, commended members of the media for their continued support and objective reportage of the policies and programmes of the FCTA.
