The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to ground rent defaulters in the territory, declaring that there will be no further extensions to the payment deadline. He emphasized this resolve on Monday in Abuja, following an inspection of critical ongoing infrastructure projects in Wuse and Life Camp areas of the territory. The Minister highlighted that previous grace periods, including a two-week extension and a presidential intervention lasting two to three weeks, granted over four months ago, have long since elapsed.

Wike expressed dismay at the tendency of some Nigerians to disregard regulations, stating that project execution is reliant on timely tax payments. He reiterated that enforcement actions, which were set to recommence, will now proceed without delay. The FCT Administration (FCTA) previously announced fresh enforcement actions against defaulters of ground rent, land use change, and conversion fees, as well as outstanding right-of-occupancy and certificate-of-occupancy bills. The minister made it clear that officials would seal the premises of non-payers, and the properties would subsequently revert to the FCT Administration.

In May, the FCTA had already sealed a number of the 4,792 institutions identified for non-payment of ground rent. Notable entities on the previous list of defaulters included the PDP national secretariat in Zone 5, Wuse District, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), CONOIL Plc, Borno State Government, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), National University Commission (NUC), M.R.S Investment Company Limited (owners of MRS Petrol Stations), and Kaduna State Government. Other organizations such as the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, University of Calabar, Nigerian Postal Service, and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) were also cited. It remains unclear if some of these high-profile bodies have since complied.

During his inspection, Minister Wike provided updates on key infrastructure projects, expressing satisfaction with their progress and quality. He noted the construction of Transit Way N2, which connects the Central Business District to Wuse District, being executed by Levante Construction Ltd. The contractor assured completion by the end of May or the first week of June 2026. This project is being funded through emergency provisions. Additionally, the Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way), stretching from Life Camp Junction to Karmo, is being handled by Julius Berger, with an anticipated handover by January next year. Adequate funding for this road has been assured in the FCT’s 2025 budget.

Regarding the recently commissioned bus terminals, the Minister clarified that the process for selecting operators is currently underway. This procurement process involves assessing applicants, including the number of buses in their fleet, with the expectation that it will be concluded by the end of the year, ensuring due process is followed for efficient public transportation services in the FCT.