The Federal Government has directed owners of lands and properties in Lagos that are under federal ownership to remit their ground rent to the government.
This call was made by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ahmed Dangiwa, during a stakeholder engagement session on land administration, which included a site inspection of areas like Banana Island, Osborne Phase One and Two, Park View/Foreshore estates, and shorelines.
Dangiwa emphasized the importance of timely ground rent payments, stating that the ministry aims to optimize revenue collection to enhance the development and upkeep of federal assets.
He highlighted the federal government’s commitment to safeguarding its assets and ensuring their value is maximized.
The Minister also underscored the need for estate associations to operate within their bounds.
While they are authorized to collect facility management fees for maintaining estate infrastructure, they are not permitted to collect ground rent, which is solely for the Federal Government.
Dangiwa warned that failure to remit the ground rent could result in the government directly handling the collection process.
In his address, the Minister spoke on the need for collaboration between the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government to resolve land disputes.
Both parties are working together to form a joint committee aimed at addressing long-standing issues and ensuring better coordination in land administration.
There are also ongoing discussions to harmonize land tax payments to prevent double taxation on owners of federal estates.
The engagement session provided an opportunity for stakeholders to voice concerns and share insights on improving land administration, as the ministry works towards its goal of affordable housing and urban development.
The Minister also acknowledged the poor condition of some federal assets and uncompleted housing projects, vowing to expedite renovations and completion efforts.
Regarding shoreline developments, Dangiwa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s control over shoreline titles and issued a stern warning to developers who fail to comply with legal requirements.
Developers have been given a one-month ultimatum to regularize their documents or face the demolition and revocation of their properties.
In conclusion, the Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming its field offices into modern and efficient workspaces to improve operational performance and productivity, aiming to better serve the residents of Lagos and ensure the sustainable growth of the nation’s urban landscape.
