Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has ordered landowners who currently hold a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) in Abuja to recertify their status.
Speaking on a live television programme viewed in Abuja, Wike stated that a National Identity Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) will be necessary for the new C of O.
The minister stated that he had not signed C-of-Os since taking office because more security measures were required.
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According to him, each new C of Os will cost N50,000 for individuals and N100,000 for corporate entities.
He stated, “We have come up with the idea that every allottee who seeks and applies for a C-of-O must supply his NIN; this is one of the features we are going to put in the new C-of-O. There are a lot of discrepancies, a lot of cloning of C-of-Os.”
“A corporate organisation is required to provide their BVN if they possess a property but lack a NIN. Because so many people have not registered, this will encourage them to do so.
Wike said that the current landlords holding C-of-Os would simply have to pay a small amount to be recertified.
“Those who possess a C-of-O will come in for a recertification, in order for us to integrate the BVN or NIN,” he declared.
“Those who previously had a C-of-O are exempt from paying again; the most they can contribute is N50,000, and business entities will pay N100,000. It enhances our ability to generate revenue and helps with security.
Additionally, he made a suggestion that the N5 million price he had originally estimated for a new C of O might drop to N3.5 million.
