The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it has inaugurated a committee on the recovery of outstanding ground rents of N29 billion owed the administration by property owners in Abuja.

FCTA spokesman Muhammad Sule, in a statement on Thursday, said the FCT permanent secretary, Olusade Adesola, inaugurated the committee at the administration secretariat.

Mr Adesola explained that the inauguration of the committee was part of efforts to improve revenue generation accruing into the coffers of the FCTA.

He disclosed that since the inception of the administration, improvement in revenue generation had been of importance and reiterated that funding was key in the running of government, provision of infrastructure, as well as delivery of quality services to the residents.

Mr Adesola further noted that funding of FCTA activities was hampered due to paucity of funds, necessary for the running of a modern capital city such as Abuja.

“The decision to embark on recovery of ground rents has, therefore, become a matter of necessity. We are serious about this. All those owing should come forward to settle their debts,” stated the FCTA official.

The permanent secretary recalled that the FCTA had earlier migrated all revenue collections to Treasury Single Account (TSA) via REMITA platform.

He also explained that this was in the bid to boost revenue generation in compliance with the federal government’s directive.

“Despite all these efforts, the rate of revenue generation has not met the realities on ground, hence the need to exploit other frontiers,” added Mr Adesola.

(NAN)