By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will from next Wednesday, November 26, 2025, commence enforcement action on defaulters of Ground Rent payment and Land Use Change/Conversion fee as well as Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills.

The FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, made this known in a statement on Thursday.

Recall that on May 26, 2025, following the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, granted defaulters on ground rent 14 days grace to pay up their outstanding ground rent, with associated penalties.

Also, publications were made on Monday 8th September 2025, Tuesday 9th September 2025, and Wednesday 10th September 2025, in some national dailies and online platforms, on the reviewed Land Use/Purpose Clause of properties in the FCT, giving 30 days for the payment of penalty/violation fee of ₦5 million and other applicable fees for Land Use Change/Conversion.

Another public notice was published in national newspapers as well as online platforms, and aired on television and radio stations, granting defaulters of the land use/purpose clause of properties in Asokoro, Maitama, Garki and Wuse districts in the Federal Capital City (FCC), a final grace period of 14 days to comply with the terms and conditions of the approval for land use change and conversion.

The 14 days grace on payment of Ground Rent expired on June 9, 2025, more than five months ago, while the 14 days extension on the land use/purpose clause will end on Monday, November 24, 2025.

Consequently, the FCTA will from Wednesday, November 26, 2025, commence enforcement actions on defaulters of Ground Rent payment and Land Use Change/Conversion fee as well as Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills.

The enforcement will also include all those who purchased properties from other people, but are yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has tasked solid waste management contractors in the FCT to ensure an immediate improvement in sanitation in the FCT, warning that excuses would not be tolerated.

Barr. Wike stated this at the weekend, in Abuja, when he had an interactive meeting with 54 solid waste cleaning contractors who were recently awarded waste cleaning contracts in the FCT.

Addressing the contractors, Barr. Wike emphasized the critical importance of effective waste management to the FCT and announced that a Task Force would be set up immediately to monitor the contractors’ operations, adding that future payments would be subject to satisfactory performance.

According to the Minister, “Management of waste is a very difficult job. So, I want to plead with you to see it that you are carrying out an assignment for the development of our capital city.

“So please help us to keep the city clean. It’s a job that you applied for, nobody forced you. I assure you that your payment is not a problem. Do the job as required and do it very well. There will be no favouritism. Your job is what will speak for you and you must get the job done”, the Minister stressed.

He warned that he will not hesitate to terminate the contract of any cleaning company if refuse is sighted in their allocated zone.

“This will not be business as usual. You must work during the weekend and have a special team to evacuate waste”, Barr. Wike directed. He further mandated the Director of Procurement to carry out immediate checks to ascertain the capacity of companies allocated more than one operational site, stating that excuses related to bad equipment would no longer be accepted.

“Those who are given more than one slot, we have to know what capacity they have. If you are allocated two sites, we will not accept excuses of bad equipment. You cannot go and apply for jobs for two areas when you don’t have the capacity to deliver. We don’t want any area to be left behind. We want everywhere to be clean”, he stated.

Barr. Wike further urged residents to also provide feedback to the government on the contractors’ performance, assuring residents that their feedback matters in ensuring payments.

Responding to an appeal by the contractors for the payment of outstanding eight months arrears, the Minister observed that some areas, particularly parts of Asokoro, were not serviced by the contractors for periods in the past. He said that the outstanding eight months payments would be processed, but clarified that payment would be done strictly on merit.

Earlier, the Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Mr. Felix Obuah, confirmed that 54 successful contractors were selected from over 500 applicants, adding that the companies have been duly issued letters of award and assigned different beats across the FCT.

Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Mr. Ibrahim Babayo, thanked the Minister for the audience and urged his colleagues to heed the warnings, while also pledging the contractors’ commitment to ensuring a clean FCT.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, (FCTA), and the Royal School of Education Therapy Foundation, at the weekend reiterated that persons with special needs must be included in healthcare planning, as stakeholders warned that gaps in access and awareness continue to put vulnerable families at risk.

This agreement was reached during the second edition of the Free Family Health Fair, organised by the Foundation in collaboration with the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, which focused on children with developmental disabilities, maternal health, and preventive care.

Founder of the Foundation, Dr. Badewa Adejube Williams, said the fair aimed to confront dangerous health myths and ensure parents understood critical developmental milestones for children with special needs.

She revealed that, in the FCT alone, over 250,000 children with developmental disabilities had been identified, though many more likely remain undocumented, especially in rural areas.

“When you look at a child, you have to look at the child holistically. What was the birthing process like? Was the mother even getting prenatal care? Most parents don’t keep record of such things.

“There are essential markers that will be an indicator that a child has a developmental disorder, and if you find that early enough and begin intervention early enough, there is a better chance for the child to improve,” she said.

On her part the Acting Director of the FCTA Health Insurance Scheme, Dr Salma Belgore, warned that persons with special needs must be deliberately prioritised under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, BHCPF.

Belgore who was represented by the acting Head of Equity and Special Programmes, Vershima Igyundu, said sidelining this group has long-term consequences for families and the health system.

“Persons with special needs represent one of the most vulnerable groups in our communities, often experiencing significant barriers in accessing timely, affordable, and quality healthcare. As we continue strengthening the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) Program, it is critical that their enrollment remains a top priority.

“A health system is only as strong as its ability to reach those who are most at risk of being left behind. By deliberately enrolling persons with special needs, we demonstrate our commitment to equity, fairness, and the principle that every life, regardless of ability, deserves protection.”

Meanwhile, Osayande Osagie of the FCT Hospital Management Board highlighted the dangers of misinformation and secrecy during pregnancy, particularly around procedures such as caesarean sections, which he said save countless lives.

“We also want to find out about your social history. Your age, your job, drug history, medical history, alcohol usage among other things. After that we want to do a general examination, take your height, weight, so we can calculate your BMI, body mass index, among other examinations so we can identify those at risk of diabetes or blood pressure. We want to have an idea if the pregnant woman has enough blood,” he explained.

Hundreds of residents were screened for diabetes, hypertension, BMI, and other risk factors at the fair. Organisers stressed that the fair is part of an ongoing effort to spark essential conversations about disability inclusion, preventive care, and access to health services across the FCT.