The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a 21-day deadline to land allottees to settle all statutory Right of Occupancy (R of O) charges or risk forfeiting their allocations.
Mr Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, made this known during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday. He stated that the directive is part of a comprehensive reform package on land administration, approved by FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, and set to take effect from April 21.
Olayinka highlighted that the reforms cover several aspects, including the conditions for granting statutory R of O, the structure of the R of O bill, and the contents of Letters of Acceptance or Refusal. It also addresses titling in mass housing schemes, sectional property interests, and the regularisation of documents for area council lands.
He stressed that the initiative seeks to streamline the land allocation system, ensure proper documentation for buyers in mass housing schemes, and drive compliance with land development regulations. Allottees will now be required to develop their plots within two years of receiving the R of O, compared to the previously open-ended timeline.
The spokesman lamented that, historically, delays in collecting R of O documents and settling associated fees have hindered revenue generation and stalled infrastructure development. Additionally, it has encouraged land speculation and illegal dealings.
Olayinka explained that under the new rules, land allottees must, within 21 days of receiving an offer, pay all charges and submit a completed letter of acceptance alongside evidence of payment. Failure to comply will result in the cancellation of the offer.
He added that the FCTA incurs significant costs through repeated public notices urging payment compliance, which the reforms aim to eliminate.
Further clarifying the policy, the Director of Land Administration, Mr Chijioke Nwankwoeze, noted that this marks the first significant overhaul of the territory’s land administration system. He stated that from April 21, offers of statutory R of O will only be valid if accompanied by full payment within the specified timeframe.
Nwankwoeze also said that for lands allocated within the area councils, the deadline for payment will be extended to 60 days. He emphasised that land ownership in the FCT will now be based on compliance with clear terms, rather than mere possession of offer documents.
