On the issue of sanitation, the Minister stressed that the FCT must be clean while the masterplan must be adhered to. He said any building contravening the masterplan would be demolished, while adding that the era of land racketeering was over. The FCT Minister equally reemphasized the ban on cattle rearing within the city centre, saying his administration will dialogue with herdsmen in the FCT to bring lasting solution to the issue.

Barr. Wike also said that land speculation would no longer be tolerated as lands allocated and not developed after a period of time would be revoked and re-allocated for immediate development, adding that uncompleted buildings which have been run over by weeds and have become hideout for criminals would be taken over by government as part of efforts to secure the FCT. He said: “All those who have left their old houses, shanties for criminals, you say you are building a house for 15 years, uncompleted building and now criminals have taken over the place, government will take it back. All those uncompleted buildings defacing the city, particularly Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse”.

Speaking on the need for more infrastructural development in the FCT, the Minister said that the option of internal revenue generation through ground rent payments would be pursued, adding that no one would be spared in the payment of ground rent. He said: “Some people have said Abuja is not doing this, Abuja is not doing that. Those of you also have refused to pay your ground rent, non-payment of ground rent is a breach of covenant. I don’t need to write you to pay. You know that as a tenant, at the end of the month, you are supposed to pay so and so amount and you say the landlord has not written to me. No, it doesn’t make sense because Abuja needs money too and part of the source of revenue is ground rent. So, if you have not paid, be it bank, anywhere, sorry. I will not be tired to revoke and I’m going to do it”.