FCTA Shuts Down Total Petrol Station Over Unpaid Ground Rent

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has taken firm regulatory action by shutting down a Total Petrol Station located in Wuse, Abuja, due to non-payment of ground rent.

The closure follows repeated warnings from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who had earlier cautioned several property owners Total includedthat failure to settle outstanding ground rent liabilities would lead to enforcement measures, including seizure of premises. The debt, which has reportedly accumulated over a number of years, prompted the administration to move forward with its threat.

Earlier this week, the minister, through his spokesperson, stated that enforcement operations would begin on Monday (today), targeting defaulters who have ignored official notices. True to that warning, the Total Petrol Station was sealed off this morning, with enforcement agents placing official stickers declaring the property as now belonging to the FCTA.

The Total station in Wuse has served as a vital refueling hub for commuters and transporters in the bustling capital. Its sudden closure is expected to affect both motorists and surrounding businesses, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of prolonged non-compliance.

While Total is yet to issue a public statement regarding the action, the situation reinforces the FCTA’s position on upholding financial and legal responsibilities associated with land use in the Federal Capital Territory.

This development is a part of a wider clampdown on property owners who have failed to honor their ground rent obligations, as the FCTA intensifies efforts to recover long-standing debts crucial for the capital’s development.