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From Fred Itua, Abuja
Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, yesterday, said he has so far saved N110 billion for the administration since he took charge in August.
The minister revealed this when he held a high-level meeting with estate developers in Abuja
Wike, who expressed displeasure over the rate at which fake certificate of occupancy (C of O) are given through land process and bad eggs in the administration, also added that N5 million will be paid to acquire a C of O.
He said he will seek the permission of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to add the National Identification Number (NIN) to any C of O that would be given by his administration.
Wike said it will not be business as usual, where three or more people will be allocated the same plot of land with fake C of O.
The minister gave example of when as governor of Rivers State, was given a fake C of O by some officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
He also faulted the payment of N8.9 billion as monthly salary to FCTA and Federal Capital Development Authority workers.
The developers unanimously on their part pleaded with the minister to reduce the N5 million payment for C of O.
After intensive appeal by the developers, the minister said the payment can be made within four months after which the C of O can be handed over to the applicant.
He said: “I have saved N110 billion for FCTA since my assumption of officer three months ago. Allocation of lands to three more persons will no longer be allowed. C of O enables you to do business.
“When we take the right decision, some people will be happy, some will not. We are ready for such fight. When I was governor of Rivers State, three C of Os were given by FCT on my land and we later discovered the C of Os given to us were fake after we have paid N57 million for the lands.
“I will seek the president permission to link any C of O to NIN number. The rich men will kick against it but anything that will help our people must be done.
“Support this moves. You will attest to the fact that there are changes. How will you feel that at the end of the day, you have a C of O but it is fake. Over 10 years, some people have not paid now the N5 million.
“Do you known that FCTA workers salary is N8.9 billion monthly. I was shocked about this. The 2024 budget of FCT is N17 billion.
“We are trying to provide a city that is to be proud of. We have considered that we will spread it by four months to pay the N5 million.”
