FCT to Issue New Certificates of Occupancy for River Park Estate Residents
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration will issue fresh Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) to residents of River Park Estate whose homes were built on land directly allocated by the government. The move, announced by FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike during an inspection tour on Saturday, aims to regularize ownership while addressing disputes over expired development agreements.
Clarification on Land Ownership
Wike stressed that Paulo Homes, one of the estate’s original developers, “has no business with the FCT,” noting that only a few other companies remain in disagreement with the administration. According to the minister, the Development Lease Agreement covering parts of the estate had expired and been breached, leading to the revocation of the plots.
To protect homeowners, many of whom may have purchased land or built houses under unclear arrangements, the administration will provide new C of O directly from the FCTA. “This cry that they want to take their property is neither here nor there. That is not the intention of the FCT administration,” Wike said.
Warning Against Illegal Development
The minister cautioned against ongoing construction within disputed areas, warning that any activity without official approval would be at the developer’s risk. “Anybody who is doing anything here now is at his own risk. It will go down,” he stated.
Next Steps for Residents
Wike assured affected residents that they would be invited to a meeting next week to discuss the process for regularization and issuance of new certificates. The FCT Administration’s approach, he said, balances enforcement of land regulations with protection of individual homeowners from the consequences of expired or invalid leases.
Broader Implications
The River Park Estate issue highlights recurring challenges in Abuja’s land administration, including expired lease agreements, irregular development approvals, and disputes between government and private developers. For investors and policymakers, the case underscores the importance of due diligence, compliance with regulatory processes, and the need for ongoing reforms in land governance to reduce uncertainty in Nigeria’s capital city real estate market.
