The Federal Capital Territory Administration has issued a 14-day ultimatum to property owners who have converted their land use without approval, directing them to pay a N5 million violation fee. This directive, announced by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, is aimed at regularization of land use in various areas of the FCT.

The affected areas include Gana Street and Usuma Street in Maitama, Yakubu Gowon Crescent in Asokoro, Aminu Kano Crescent and Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent in Wuse II, among others. During the 14-day grace period, which commenced on November 11, property owners are expected to visit the Department of Land Administration with their original title documents and valid identification to regularize their land use approvals.

In addition to paying the violation fee, property owners will also be required to collect new title documents reflecting the updated land use for a fresh 99-year term. However, this exercise does not cover land and property titles that were earlier withdrawn or revoked due to non-development, non-payment of ground rent, or other reasons.

This development follows a previous 30-day window given to property owners who had converted their land use without approval to pay the penalty fee, which expired over a month ago. The FCT Administration had reviewed the Land Use/Purpose Clause of properties in the FCT, paving the way for this regularization exercise.

Property owners who fail to comply with the directive within the stipulated timeframe will face enforcement actions by the FCT Administration. The move is expected to bring order to the land use regime in the FCT and ensure that property owners adhere to the approved land use purposes. With the 14-day ultimatum in place, affected property owners are advised to take prompt action to avoid any potential consequences. The FCT Administration’s decision is seen as a step towards maintaining order and compliance in the territory’s land use management.