The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has said several owners of its titled properties have failed to pay ground rent and other statutory charges to the Ministry for several years, thereby hampering the ability of government to maximise the revenue earning potential of its landed assets.
Speaking at the 29th conference of directors of lands in the federal and state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA), Dangiwa said non-compliance in payment of ground rent and other statutory charges to the ministry has resulted in the loss of trillions of naira in revenue to the federal government and can no longer be tolerated by the present administration as revenue is much needed to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda to Nigerians.
He said such federal Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) title owners are given a 60-day notice to settle all outstanding ground rent and statutory charges and that failure to make payment within the stipulated period will result in the revocation of their C of Os.
He said: “The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is aware that several owners of its titled properties have failed to pay ground rent and other statutory charges to the Ministry for several years now. This non-compliance has resulted in the loss of trillions of naira in revenue to the Federal Government. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed, Tinubu, this cannot be tolerated as this revenue is much needed to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda to Nigerians.
“As such all Federal C of O title owners are hereby given a 60-day notice to settle all outstanding ground rent and statutory charges. Failure to make payment within this period will result in the revocation of their C of Os.
“Additionally, the Ministry has observed activities of various residents associations of Federal Government landed properties that are preventing Ministry staff from accessing the estates for billing purposes and enforcement of non-payments. We want to warn such associations to comply with the terms and conditions outlined in their respective C of Os. Failure to adhere to these requirements will attract the appropriate penalties and sanctions.”
Also speaking, Director, Lands and Housing Development Department, ESV. Collins Alabi FNISV, said the challenges facing land administration grow increasingly complex, impacting not only our communities but the very environment in which we live.
“The stewardship of land, which is one of our most precious resources requires careful management and equitable distribution. As we face rising pressures from urban expansion, population growth, and the effects of climate change, it becomes crucial that land administration processes are efficient, transparent, and inclusive.
“Today’s discussions will explore how we can balance these pressures with the rights and needs of communities, ensuring that land is managed in a way that supports sustainable development and minimizes adverse environmental impacts,” he said.