The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on landowners within the territory to settle all outstanding ground rent, warning that failure to do so could result in the loss of their properties.
Wike made this appeal during the inauguration of the upgrading of War College/Army Checkpoint Road and other ancillary roads in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council, Abuja, on Monday.
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He emphasized the crucial role of ground rent in supporting the FCT Administration’s infrastructure projects, referring to it as the “FCT’s oil.”
“I have published the names of debtors in today’s newspapers. Some of you seated here are debtors; pay your ground rent. That is what I used to construct all the roads in FCT,” he stated.
The minister also addressed concerns about road conditions, challenging residents who complain about poor infrastructure. “Some of you have been saying, when you go to Abuja you miss your road, you miss your road, is it by mouth? It is ground rent money that we are using to construct the roads,” he explained.
Wike urged residents to fulfill their financial responsibilities, noting that taxpayers are entitled to accountability regarding the use of their funds. “So please, I urge you, let us do our own part. When you do your own part, and the government does not do its own part, then you can ask questions – what are you doing with all the taxes that we are paying?” he said.
The minister assured residents that their contributions would lead to transparency and progress, reinforcing that “When you pay a tax, you have the right to ask questions. What do you do with my money? Nobody will proscribe you for doing that.”
