By Yekeen Nurudeen

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has approved the temporary suspension of tenement rates collection in FCT.

This is to allow the National Assembly fix rates to be paid on tenements in the nation’s capital, a circular issued by the Permanent Secretary of FCT, Babatope Ajakaiye said.

According to the circular, the suspension was necessitated by the need to sanitize and streamline the tenement rates collection process, as well as ensure compliance with relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary emphasized the constitutional responsibility of the National Assembly which makes law for the FCT to prescribe rates to be paid on tenements in the FCT and disclosed that the FCTA is liaising with the Legislative Body for the enactment of the requisite Act.

He noted that the process of property valuation and gazetting at the FCT Administration and FCT Area Council levels is ongoing, while submissions from the Area Councils are being collated for onward transmission to the National Assembly.

“This suspension is also in consonance with a resolution of the House of Representatives on the matter and decisions reached at a subsequent meeting with the leadership of the House Committee on FCT, held on Monday, 31st October, 2016, which are deemed to remain in force until the National Assembly concludes the enactment of the requisite legislation”, the circular stated.

Before now, tenement rates were charged and collected by the Area Councils in the FCT.