Idowu Patrick
Landowners and citizens of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are reacting with dismay and doubt to the FCT Administration’s recent decision to impose recertification costs on holders of Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O). This initiative, spearheaded by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, requires individuals having C of O documents to pay N50,000 in recertification fees, while corporate entities must pay N100,000 in fees.
A diverse group of FCT residents and landowners, who shared their thoughts with a correspondent from Abuja City Journal, are raising questions about the legal foundation of this policy. Mr. Azubuike Chukuma criticized Minister Wike for what he perceives as high-handedness, urging the minister to focus on addressing issues that alleviate the challenges faced by FCT residents. Chukuma emphasized the urgent need for attention to the security situation in the FCT, citing concerns about living in fear due to criminal activities like “one chance,” which require immediate intervention.
Adebayo Shola, a lawyer, expressed his doubts about the minister’s authority to impose recertification fees on FCT residents and landlords. Drawing a parallel, Shola likened the demand for C of O renewal to requiring graduates to recertify their degrees. He called on Wike to prioritize substantive issues over what he perceives as political posturing.
Bulama Bitrus, another FCT resident and indigene, suggested that there are alternative methods to generate revenue for the FCT without imposing additional financial burdens on the already struggling masses.
It is worth noting that the minister announced on Friday that landowners in the FCT will be obligated to pay recertification fees. Speaking on a live television program monitored by Abuja City Journal in Abuja, Wike explained that the new C of Os would now require a National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN). He justified the move by stating that, since assuming office, he had refrained from signing C-of-Os to introduce enhanced security measures. The cost of the new C of Os would be N50,000 for individuals and N100,000 for corporate bodies, according to the minister’s statement.
