The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has informed landowners in the Capital Territory to include their National Identity Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) for individuals and corporate entities, respectively, when applying for a Certificate of Ownership (C-of-O), News About Nigeria reports.
The minister made this known on Friday while speaking to newsmen, noting that this was an attempt to beef up security measures.
Wike noted that despite all lands belonging to the Federal Capital Territory, some persons were in possession of the lands in the area councils. He maintained that no Area Council has the power to allocate land or issue a Certificate Of Ownership (C-of-O).
Wike further noted that in a bid to rectify the issues caused by these anomalies, a council has been set up to delve further into the issues, adding that he does not want to cause problems for individuals who have land and certificates.
The minister also revealed that landowners had been invited for proper documentation of their Certificates of Ownership.
According to him, the ministry had the approval of the president, albeit verbal, and awaited the official approval.
He stated that in the course of the new registration process, it had been discovered that a lot of people were yet to register and were now being urged to do so.
Recall that the Minister had earlier disclosed that he stopped signing the C-of-O brought to him because he had distrust for the certificates that were presented to him, adding that he did not want to sign a C-of-O that belonged to someone else.