FCT’s C-of-O to cost N5m, be issued within four months after payment – Wike

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, says that the FCT Administration has estimated the cost of issuing a Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) at N5 million.

Wike made the announcement during a meeting with real estate developers in Abuja on Tuesday.

He stated that the applicant would receive the C-of-O upon payment within four months of the land allocation.

He also stated that he will seek President Bola Tinubu’s approval before linking applicants’ National Identification Numbers to C-of-Os.

Wike stated that the days of three or more people being assigned to the same plot of land with a bogus C-of-O were over.

“Allocation of land to three or more persons will no longer be allowed because the C-of-O enables you to do business.

“When we make the right decision, some people will be happy, and some will not. The rich will kick against some of our decisions, but anything that will help our people must be done,’’ Wike said.

He pledged to maintain sanity and order in the FCT’s land management procedures and system.

The minister voiced concerns about the N8.9 billion monthly salary gap between the Federal Capital Development Authority and the FCT Administration.

Wike stated that he had saved N110 billion for the FCT after only three months in power, and that the cash would be tied to specific projects.

On November 14, Wike established a task force to address the granting of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) for housing developments and the collection of costs related to land use violations.

According to him, the purpose of the law was to guarantee that every housing estate unit had a unique certificate of occupancy.