The Federal Government has announced plans to charge owners of completed unoccupied houses triple ground rents, starting three months after the houses’ completion, News About Nigeria gathered.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, revealed this during a site visit to various housing projects in Abuja.
The move aims to address the issue of unoccupied properties, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where many citizens need accommodation.
The government plans to engage with property owners and, if necessary, enforce higher ground rents to encourage occupancy or sale of the properties.
In a statement to the press, Minister Dangiwa emphasised the importance of addressing the housing deficit and ensuring that completed houses are utilised effectively.
He stated that the Department of Lands, Urban and Regional Planning would compile a list of estate proprietors, and any estate remaining unoccupied for more than three months would face triple ground rent charges.
Furthermore, the minister discussed plans to empower state controllers with the necessary tools for effective project supervision.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by state controllers and committed to providing them with the essential resources.
Minister Dangiwa also highlighted efforts to streamline the process of acquiring land, encouraging state housing controllers to provide catalogues of available lands for government projects.
During the site visits, the minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of various housing projects, noting the unique characteristics and challenges faced by each location.
He praised the success of Public-Private Partnerships, such as the Guzape Federal Housing Authority project, which demonstrated the potential for collaboration between the government and the private sector in delivering affordable housing.
In response to questions about BUA Cement’s recent price reduction announcement, Minister Dangiwa commended BUA for taking the initiative to alleviate the financial burden on citizens.
He indicated that efforts were underway to distinguish the new batches of cement produced at reduced prices, urging other cement producers to consider similar price adjustments to benefit consumers.
The Federal Government’s focus on addressing housing challenges and ensuring fair pricing aligns with broader efforts to enhance affordable housing opportunities and support economic well-being for Nigerians.
