In a bid to ensure accountability and transparency in land administration, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of has announced his intention to seek the approval of President Bola Tinubu to link applicants' national identification numbers (NIN) to Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-Os) before issuance. This move aims to put an end to the era where multiple individuals were allocated the same plot of land with forged C-of-Os.
Governor Wike emphasized that the allocation of land to three or more persons would no longer be permissible, as the C-of-O serves as a crucial tool for conducting business. Acknowledging that not everyone would be pleased with the decision, he stated, "When we make the right decision, some people will be happy, and some will not. The rich may oppose some of our choices, but it is our duty to prioritize the welfare of our people."
To ensure orderly and well-regulated land administration processes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Governor Wike expressed his commitment to enforcing a system that upholds orderliness and sanity. As part of this effort, he inaugurated a task force on the issuance of C-of-Os for housing estates and the recovery of land use contravention fees on November 14th.
Governor Wike further explained that the implementation of this task force was aimed at ensuring that each unit within housing estates possesses its own separate C-of-O, thereby minimizing any potential conflicts or fraudulent practices in the future.
With this new measure in place, Mr. Wike aims to promote fairness, efficiency, and accountability in the land administration system. By linking NINs to C-of-Os, the government hopes to enhance transparency and provide individuals with a reliable means of verifying land ownership, thereby preventing fraudulent activities and ensuring the legitimate rights of citizens are protected.
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