Landowners in Abuja who now possess Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) are required to go through a recertification procedure, according to a directive issued by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking on a live television programme in Abuja, Wike stressed the importance of strengthening security measures by incorporating National Identification Numbers (NIN) and Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) into the new C of Os.
It was decided to include NIN and BVN as features in the new certificates because Wike voiced worries about inconsistencies and the cloning of C-of-Os.
Anyone Applying For C-of-O In Abuja Must Submit NIN, BVN – Wike
The minister announced that the cost for an individual seeking a new C of Os would be N50,000, and for corporate bodies, the cost would be N100,000.
This move, according to Wike, aims to improve security, prevent fraud, and boost revenue generation.
He stated, “There are a lot of discrepancies, a lot of cloning of C-of-Os, so we have come up with an 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.
“If a corporate body doesn’t have an NIN and they have a property, they must put their BVN. So many persons have not registered, and this will make them go and re-register.”
On the existing landlords with C-of-Os, Wike revealed that they would only be required to pay a nominal fee for recertification.
Wike Inaugurates Task Force to Oversee Certificates of Occupancy for Mass Housing Developments
“For everyone who has a C-of-O, they will come for a recertification, so that we can incorporate the NIN or BVN,” he disclosed.
“Those who had a C-of-O before don’t need to pay money again; the highest they can pay is N50,000, and corporate bodies will pay N100,000. It helps in terms of security; it also helps to improve our revenue generation.”
Additionally, he made hints that the N5 million price he had originally estimated for getting a new C of O might drop to N3.5 million.
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