Abuja – December 05, 2023 – Viewpoint Housing News.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has received an appeal from the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Abuja chapter, asking him to reconsider the proposed N5 million charge for the issue of Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O).
The declaration, according to Branch Chairman Adebanjo Adeleke, was improper given the stark disparity in land prices across the FCT’s areas. Adeleke also established a committee to draught a position paper to be submitted to the minister.
Adeleke contended that, the cost of C of O could only be ascertained by conducting an assessment of every district, and she urged the minister to enlist the aid of professional organisations such as the NIESV to advise and counsel him appropriately.
“When one conducts an evaluation of each district, the cost COf O will be determined,” he stated. One cannot, for example, demand N5 million from someone in Kuje and Maitama, as 1000 square metres in Kuje cost between N1 and N5 million, while in Maitama, 1000 square metres cost N800 million.
“The NIESV Abuja Branch does not support the N5 million, which is why we formed the committee to investigate and provide the minister with appropriate advice.”
The committee’s task is to review the requirements and standards for issuing certificates of occupancy in housing estates located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as made public by FCTA. It will also identify any aspects of land administration governance that deviates from international best practices.
Additionally, to highlight important areas that FCTA needs to review and to suggest and advocate for the essential actions that are required for an efficient land policy, effective land administration policies for mass housing estates and other relevant sectors would also be recommended by the committee.
