The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has announced plans to revoke the Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) of property owners who continue to refuse payment of ground rent and other statutory charges owed to the Ministry.
This development was disclosed by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, during the 29th Conference of Directors of Lands held in Abuja on Wednesday.
Dangiwa stated that the Federal Government is giving C of O holders a 60-day ultimatum to clear their outstanding debts.
At the conference, themed “Equitable Land Stewardship: Challenges of Land Administration and Its Impact on Climate Change and Community Rights,” Dangiwa revealed that property owners’ refusal to pay their dues has resulted in a loss of trillions of naira in revenue for the government.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu’s administration will not tolerate non-compliance, as the revenue is critical to delivering on the president’s agenda.
He said, “The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is aware that several owners of titled properties have failed to pay ground rent and other statutory charges to the Ministry for several years.
“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.”
“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.”
“Failure to adhere to these requirements will attract the appropriate penalties and sanctions,” Dangiwa warned.
The announcement comes amidst the economic hardship ravaging the country as a result of the fuel subsidy removal of President Bola Tinubu government’s.