By Bose Olamide
Owners of unoccupied buildings in Abuja may begin to pay taxes, following resolve by the Federal Capital Territory Administration to commence collection of taxes in the territory.
Dele Yaro, leader of the FCT ministerial joint task force on sanitation and demolition of illegal structures, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that property owners will pay taxes to generate more money for the government.
Yaro, an assistant director of operations in the directorate of road traffic services (DRTS), spoke to NAN after the demolition of illegal buildings and workshops in Kado Estate.
“We have some buildings within the city that are not occupied by anybody and government is looking in that direction,” he said.
“This is to ensure that going forward no property lies fallow without paying taxes. We now have a Board of Internal Revenue for the FCT.
“So, if your property is lying fallow, definitely you know you must pay tax on it.
“If the cost of renting or acquiring these buildings are too high and the owners are made to pay taxes on them every year, they will be forced to bring it down so that people can occupy them.”
NAN reports that 600 unoccupied buildings have been identified mostly in the highbrow districts of Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, Apo, and Gwarimpa Estate.
