FCT Minister Barr Nyesom Wike
By VICTOR CHIAHEMEN, Abuja –
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Executive Committee (EXCO), has approved several multi-billion naira contracts for key infrastructure projects in Abuja, while ordering renewed enforcement against property owners owing ground rents and those involved in illegal land-use conversions.
The approvals were granted at the committee’s first meeting of 2026, chaired by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Yunana Dauda, said EXCO ratified the emergency rehabilitation and resurfacing of internal roads within the Presidential Villa at a cost of ₦3.79 billion.
According to Dauda, the roads—constructed over 30 years ago—had significantly deteriorated and required urgent intervention to ensure safety and functionality. The rehabilitation work was executed by Julius Berger Plc.
A cross section of members of the FCT Exco at the first meeting of the year chaired by the FCT Minister Barr Nyesom Wike on Wednesday
He also disclosed that the committee approved the ₦9.8 billion Kabusa–Ketti Road project, undertaken to improve access and address security concerns in the area following reports of kidnapping incidents. Dauda noted that the road was completed and commissioned in June 2025 and is already in use.
In addition, EXCO ratified an emergency ₦1.7 billion contract for erosion control works and repairs on major water transmission lines from the Lower Usuma Dam. The project, handled by SCC Nigeria Limited, was aimed at averting a potential disruption of water supply to parts of the FCT.
On the education sector, the Secretary for Education, Danlami Hayyo, said the committee approved a ₦62 million facility management contract for the Korea Model School. The school, established in 2018 through a partnership between the South Korean government and the FCT Administration, has now been fully taken over by the FCTA to ensure effective management and long-term sustainability.
Meanwhile, the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, announced that EXCO had authorised enforcement actions against defaulters in ground rent payments and property owners who illegally converted residential buildings for commercial use.
He said enforcement would commence next week, following the expiration of a grace period earlier granted to affected property owners in areas such as Wuse II and Garki Areas 7 and 8. Despite multiple notices and public announcements, Nwankwoeze said some allottees failed to regularise their titles by paying required conversion fees and outstanding land charges.
L-R) Executive Secretary, FCDA Engr Richard Yunana Dauda, Mandate Secretary, Education, Dr Danlami Hayyu, Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister Hon Chidi Amadi, Ag. Chairman, FCT IRS, Michael Ango and Director Lands Administration, Chijioke Nkwabueze addressing the Press shortly after the FCT Exco meeting in Abuja on Wednesday
According to him, enforcement measures may include revocation of titles, sealing of properties and other legal actions. He urged all defaulters to comply immediately to avoid sanctions.
Supporting the move, the Acting Chairman of the FCT Inland Revenue Service, Micheal Ango, said land-based revenues remained critical to funding infrastructure development in the territory. He appealed to residents and property owners to settle outstanding ground rents, Certificate of Occupancy payments and land-use charges.
Earlier in the meeting, Wike wished members of the committee a happy New Year and reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Administration to policies aimed at improving infrastructure and service delivery in the nation’s capital.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for FCT, Mariya Mahmoud; the Head of Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan; mandate secretaries; and other senior officials of the FCT Administration.
