By Abba Onyekachukwu, Abuja
Federal Capital Territory Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has introduced significant reforms in land administration aimed at combating land speculation and accelerating development in the nation’s capital.
Qccording to a press statement from the Director Press Office of the Minister Anthony Ogunleye on Tuesday, the reforms, effective April 21, 2025, are designed to ensure timely development and payment for land allocations.
According to the reforms: land allottees must make full payment of all prescribed bills, fees, rents, and charges within 21 days of allocation to obtain their Certificate of Occupancy; land allottees have two years to develop their land, starting from the date of the Statutory Right of Occupancy, adding that failure to comply will be considered land speculation; A clear pathway for obtaining titles for Mass Housing and Sectional Interests has been established, with applications for titling to be submitted to the Department of Land Administration for processing.
On Minister’s stance on land speculation, the Minister clearly declared anyone who says he wants land in Abuja but cannot develop it in two years, a land speculator. Wike emphasized.
Wike recently inspected key infrastructure projects in Abuja, expressing satisfaction with progress on Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) a 15-kilometer road connecting Apo and Wasa Districts, expected to be completed by May.
On the Mabushi Bus Terminal, he directed the Secretary of Transport to ensure necessary corrections are made, emphasizing quality finishing, even on the Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Way), a road project linking Jahi to Kubwa/Zuba expressway and Jabi/Utako Districts, expected to be completed by May.
These projects are slated for commissioning in May to commemorate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-year anniversary, demonstrating the FCT Administration’s commitment to delivering quality infrastructure and promoting development.
