No fewer than 43 Embassies and High Commissions are yet to pay ground rent to the Nigerian government.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Tuesday published a list of 43 Embassies and High Commissions owing Ground Rent of $5.3 million in the Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
Some of the institutions affected by this directive are the British High Commission, South African High Commission, and the Embassy of Japan.
Others include the Embassy of the Republic of Senegal, US Embassy for Peace, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Embassy of Turkey, Embassy of the State of Eritrea, Embassy of Algeria, Embassy of Spain, Embassy of France (French School), Embassy of Niger Republic, Embassy of Indonesia (Defence Attache), Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia and Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia.
Others include the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia, the Embassy of the (Peoples) Republic of Angola, Embassy of Belgium, Embassy of Tunisia, Embassy of Palestine Liberation Organisation, Royal Thai Embassy, Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic Of Venezuela, Embassy of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, Embassy of the Republic of Iraq, Embassy of Democratic Republic of Congo, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, Embassy of Italy, German Embassy and Embassy of Russian Federation.
Others are the Embassy of Thailand, Embassy of the Republic of Togo in Nigeria, Consulate of the Republic of Yemen, Cameroon High Commission, and Zambia High Commission..
The FCTA said the defaulting diplomatic missions to pay their outstanding ground rents within two weeks or risk having their titles revoked.
“The FCT Administration hereby reminds the general public, particularly allottees of land(s) within the FCT of their obligation to the FCTA as stipulated in the covenanted terms of the Certificate of Occupancy to wit “to pay in advance, without demand to the Honorable Minister, FCT, the annual ground rent from the first day of January of each year,” the statement said.
“All allottees, property owners as well as beneficiaries of the sale of Federal Government Houses in the FCT who could not pay or settle their outstanding ground rents for the year 2023, are hereby advised in their interest to ensure payment within two (2) weeks from the date of this publication, failure of which such titles shall be revoked.’’
Others on the published ist include companies and individuals who are collectedly owing over N2 billion according to the FCTA.
Speaking earlier, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, asked residents to pay their taxes and ground rents to allow for adequate financing of projects and infrastructure development in the capital city.
He said: “First of all, whether inflation or not, that’s why we are here, to solve problems. With the taxes people pay, we try as much as we can, to allocate it to the priority projects.
“Again, we don’t allow variation. Why? Because we also try to pay as at when due, so the issue of variation does not come in.”
The minister sought for the support of residents and assured that the paid taxes and ground rents are being managed judiciously to ensure the delivery of various projects.
