By Vincent Egunyanga and Ben Adoga
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revealed that over N300bn is owed to Abuja territory for non-payment of Right of Occupancy.
Wike also revealed that, in accordance with ease of doing business principles, he had signed about 7,000 Certificates of Occupancy (Cs-of-O) in less than two years.
He disclosed yesterday in Abuja during a media parley with some broadcast journalists.
The Minister said the money owed to the FCT Administration would go a long way toward developing the FCT if all debtors paid up.
He said, “You can imagine that if I had that N300bn, you would never recognise the FCT again, as lots of developments would have been achieved with it.”
The Minister said the FCT will receive N17bn from the national budget in 2024 but generate an additional N25bn monthly from statutory income or Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
He, however, said in December 2024, FCT generated over N47bn internally.
He attributed this to the ‘aggressive revenue drive’ of his administration.
Speaking on the Cs-of-O, Wike said that, knowing the document’s importance as a title for businesses, he needed to sign it as part of this administration’s ease of doing business.
“As of today, I have signed almost 7,000. Only yesterday, I signed 630, and the day before, I signed 750. If you add these to the previous ones, it’s over 7,000.
“Some Cs-of-O have been there for 10 years and above, not signed. Mr President said to make it easy for people to carry out businesses, create ease of doing business. Having your C-of-O can give you access to finances or funds for business.
“These backlogs of unsigned Cs-of-O are making businesses not thrive, so when I came in, I decided to do something.”
Recall that in 13 years, only between 7000 and 8000 Cs-of-O were signed, but in less than two years, Nyesom Woke, Minister of FCT, signed over 7000.
*Wike vows to charge electricity vandals with economic sabotage
Meanwhile, Wike has vowed that vandals who damaged and stole transmission cables, throwing the FCT into darkness, will learn their lessons.
In the media chat, a furious Wike said that some suspects had been arrested concerning the crime.
He said the arrested persons would not be charged with stealing but economic sabotage.
The Minister said the vandals threatened the stability of the nation’s capital city and would be punished severely for the crime.
According to him, the suspects won’t be released from litigation until they are convicted of the crime.
Wike said, “They vandalised and stole the cables, making over 60 percent of Abuja dark. Sabotage! By the grace of God, the security agencies are on top of the matter. We’ve arrested some of them, and I can tell you: all of those involved will never come out of it, and people will learn lessons from it.
“We won’t charge you with stealing; we will charge you with economic sabotage. Enough is enough. Nobody will take this. Nobody who loves his country will accept what is going on.”
Wike urged FCT residents to be involved in the policing of the nation’s capital by reporting suspicious activities.
Last Friday, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) attributed the power outage in Abuja to the vandalism of its 132kV transmission line and underground cables.
Areas affected include Wuse, Utako, Jabi, Maitama, Lifecamp, Asokoro, Mabushi, and parts of the Presidential Villa, which houses President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
On the security situation in the Territory, the Minister commended security agencies for their jobs.
The Minister also explained that 12 new police stations would be built in the six area councils to enhance police operations.
“For the first time we have acquired drones, we are building command control centres,” he said.
The FCT Minister also lambasted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for not putting its house in order ahead of 2027.
He blamed the present leadership of the Board of Trustees for not taking steps in line with what it takes to stand the party out and get ready for elections.
