Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu ReportingÂ
The two-week ultimatum issued by the minister of FCT Nyesom Wike, for those owing ground rents to pay up or have their property revoked, has led to the recovery of N1 billion in one month.
Since the directive, the headquarters of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) has become a beehive of activities as property owners rush to pay their debts.
The acting director of AGIS, Isiaku Ndatsu Alfa stated that there has been a surge in payment of ground rents since the minister threatened revocation and commenced publication of the debtors.
Nsatsu said collections from June to July were at the lowest ebb, but immediately after the minister’s order in August, ground rent earnings rose to N500 million and increased steadily to over N1 billion.
He said by September 17, 2023, ground rents had generated precisely N1.9 billion, and the figure is estimated to double by the end of the month.
Alfa stated that with the planned introduction of an online payment portal for the collection of ground rents, certificate of occupancy (C of O), and others, transactions would be easier, and more monies collected by AGIS.
He disclosed that the online payment app was already developed and an official launch was expected by the FCT minister before the end of this year.