The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced that the FCT administration fixed the cost of issuing a Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) at N5 million.
The former Rivers state governor made this known during a meeting with estate developers in Abuja on Tuesday.
He outlined that the payment for the C-of-O could be completed within four months from land allocation, after which the certificate would be handed over to the applicant.
Wike further highlighted plans to integrate applicants’ national identification numbers (NIN) with C-of-Os before issuance, a step he intends to discuss and seek approval from President Bola Tinubu.
Emphasizing the need for accountability, the FCT Minister condemned the previous practices where multiple individuals were allotted the same plot of land using fraudulent C-of-Os.
He stressed the importance of the certificate in enabling lawful business transactions.
Acknowledging potential opposition, especially from the affluent, Wike also affirmed his commitment to making decisions that benefit the people.
He underscored the significance of measures aimed at enhancing the well-being of the populace.
In his bid to enhance organization and efficiency in the FCT’s land administration system, Wike inaugurated a task force on November 14, specifically targeting the issuance of separate Certificates of Occupancy for housing estates and the retrieval of land use contravention fees.
This initiative seeks to ensure that each unit within housing estates possesses its distinct C-of-O, promoting clarity and legality in land ownership.
