Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday in Abuja, warned defaulters of ground rents to urgently offset their debts.
Explaining that decisive action would be taken against violators at the expiration of period of grace, Wike express the possibility of revoking the right to the land.
He spoke in Abuja in separate meetings with the President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Chris Isiguzo, and the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, James Chrisoff.
The minister reiterated his earlier warnings shortly after taking oath of office as minister that at the end of the ultimatum for payment, “Something will happen.”
Wike, while receiving the NUJ president, said that the era of abandoned projects in the FCT was over, stressing, “Abandonment of projects as far as the FCT is concerned is a thing of the past. This would not have been possible without the president exiting us from the TSA.
“As I speak to you, I can tell you how much we have been able to save from the IGR. There will be continuous funding of FCTA projects.
“Some people are saying what we are doing is ‘initial gragra’, but I want to say that at the end of the day, something will happen. We will step on toes because you cannot have governance without stepping on toes.
“I did not make the laws but I and my colleague, the Minister of State have the political will to enforce the laws.”
Isiguzo lauded the minister for his determination to bring positive change into the administration of the FCT.
While receiving the Canadian diplomat, the minister assured foreign missions and other investors of improved security within the FCT.
He said, “Security has improved in the FCT. Security agencies have been working round the clock to ensure that the environment remains safe. For instance, the issue of one-chance, we set up a joint taskforce and they have been working round the clock. Since then no incidence has been recorded.
“The Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President is to restore Hope to our people. The President has put modalities in place to ensure that people’s hope is renewed. So much activities is going on in Abuja.
“We are focused on our drive to increase our Internally Generated Revenue so we can carry out other developments. So, we encourage corporate bodies and foreign missions to fulfil their tax obligations.”
The ambassador said that Canada has immense interest in improving opportunities for young women and girls in the FCT, adding that his country would partner with Nigeria in the area of agriculture in line with the vision of President Bola Tinubu.
