The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained the reason behind the current administration’s determined enforcement of ground rent payments across Abuja.
According to him, the revenue generated from Abuja ground rents directly supports major development projects in the capital city.
Speaking on Thursday during the official commissioning of the newly completed Collector Road CN2—Zakari A. Kyari Street, which links Arterial Road N11 (Ahmadu Bello Way) in Mabushi to the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe—Wike said the project is proof of how ground rent payments benefit residents.
He said, “This road links to a lot of areas here and the judges’ quarters is also one of the areas that will benefit.” He noted that the project, which was initially designed to be completed in one year, was finished in just eight to nine months.
“We flagged off this project in October last year. It was supposed to take twelve months, but here we are, the project has been completed early,” he added.
Wike praised the construction firm CGC for delivering the road ahead of schedule, saying, “That is why we have always said give to those who have the capacity to deliver for the benefit of the people.”
Abuja’s Limited Federal Allocation and Rising Land Value
The FCT Minister explained that Abuja only receives one percent of federal government revenue every month. He stressed that this amount is not enough to pay salaries or build roads without extra funding.
“If we depend on one percent of what the federal government gets monthly, it means we can’t pay salaries or carry out infrastructural projects,” Wike said.
This, he noted, justifies the government’s aggressive approach to collecting ground rent. “You can’t be enjoying this free of charge. You have to pay,” he insisted.
He further said that political affiliation has no bearing on the policy. “It has nothing to do with whether I belong to party A, B, or C,” he said, urging property owners to see the value in their contributions.
Wike also pointed out that property values in areas benefiting from new infrastructure are increasing significantly. “I’m sure that those who have land here now, their land will be going for ₦200 million or ₦300 million,” he said.
He added that the high-value returns should encourage residents to fulfil their financial obligations to the FCT.
Presidential Support Drives FCT Achievements
The Minister credited President Bola Tinubu for supporting his ministry’s work since he assumed office. “Mr President has always given his support, and that is why we are able to achieve what we are achieving,” he said.
Wike noted that people often misunderstand Abuja’s financial capacity, wrongly assuming the FCT is rich. He stressed that beyond federal allocations, the city must rely on taxes and ground rent to finance development. “The only thing this city has is just to collect tax,” he said.
He reminded residents that failure to pay ground rent could have consequences. “For those of you who said we will sell your houses for not paying your ground rent, see the value, see the product of paying your ground rent,” Wike stated.
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